Quality of Life 26/08/27

More fun than Connecticut, anyway

According to a recent study released by online economics website Wallethub.com, New Hampshire is the 43rd most fun state in the country. Reporting on its study, Wallethub wrote that it had “compared all 50 states across 26 key indicators of enjoyable experiences that won’t break the bank. These range from movie costs to accessibility of national parks to nightlife options per capita.” And while New Hampshire didn’t compare well with fun powerhouses like California or Florida (ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively), we ranked 41st in the category of Entertainment and Recreation, but 47th with respect to Nightlife.

QOL score: -1

Comment: It could be worse; compared to West Virginia, New Hampshire looks like springtime in Paris. Visit wallethub.com/edu/most-fun-states/34665.

Of course she’s blue; we just ruined her vacation

As reported by WMUR in an Aug. 19 online article, a Goffstown family made a “one-in-a-billion” discovery last week. While on a chartered fishing trip out of Rye, WMUR reported, “the [Major family] noticed a fishing pole and line in the water. When they went to pull it out of the water, they found a lobster tangled in it.” Even more exciting was the color of the lobster: blue. Blue lobsters do occur naturally but are very rare, the article continued — “about one in two million.” On top of that, she turned out to be a pregnant blue lobster, making her an even rarer find.

QOL score: +1

Comment: WMUR reported that the anonymous blue lobster was marked and returned to the water to continue with her birthing journey.

Maybe it’s the lack of ‘fun’?

A recent survey by the University of New Hampshire found that “25 percent of Granite Staters are considering moving away.” “The greatest likelihood of leaving is among younger and never married residents,” the Aug. 18 survey report read. “In contrast, [the study] found little differences in likelihood of leaving by other characteristics and life experiences such as educational attainment and household income.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: Study authors pointed out that the number of New Hampshire residents considering moving is in line with the statistics from other New England states. “Recent polling by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center found that only 23 percent of New Hampshire residents responded they were ‘likely or somewhat likely’ to move out of the state in the next five years. In contrast, larger shares of respondents from nearby states reported they were likely to leave, including residents of Vermont (42 percent), Connecticut (40 percent), Rhode Island (35 percent), and Massachusetts (34 percent).” Visit carsey.unh.edu/publication/retaining-residents-important-new-hampshires-future-why-do-people-leave.

QOL score last week: 59

Net change: -1

QOL this week: 58

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/08/27

Movie theater closing

O’Neil Cinemas will be “closing our Londonderry location,” according to an Aug. 23 post on the theater’s Facebook page. The movie theater had reopened on Nov. 11, 2025, with a new bistro and upgraded screening rooms, according to a press release from the time. O’Neil Cinemas closed its Epping location on March 15, saying in a statement then: “Changing industry conditions, rising operating costs, and the significant investment required to modernize the theater made it impossible for us to continue operating the Epping location at the level of experience our guests deserve,” according to the March 12 issue of the Hippo.

In the Aug. 23 post about Londonderry, O’Neil Cinemas said: “While our chapter in Londonderry is ending, O’Neil Cinemas continues on. Our Littleton, Massachusetts theater will remain open and operating … Any O’Neil Cinemas gift cards will continue to be honored at our Littleton location. Your existing loyalty account, points, and rewards will also remain valid and can be redeemed in Littleton. Everything you’ve earned stays with you.” On Aug. 25, on the Londonderry location’s website, oneilcinemas.com/londonderry, Aug. 31 is the final day for which tickets are being sold.

Dogs for veterans

Balin Books, Somerset Plaza, 375 Amherst St. in Nashua, will host an author signing and fundraiser for Operation Delta Dog, an organization that rescues and trains shelter dogs to serve as companions to military veterans living with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and military sexual trauma, on Saturday, Aug. 29, according to a press release. Trisha Blanchet, founder of Operation Delta Dog and local author of the new mystery Murder Like Magic, will discuss her book with Charlotte Troddyn, executive director of Operation Delta Dog, at 2 p.m., the release said. From 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., representatives of Operation Delta Dog will be at Balin and “a portion of all Balin Books sales throughout the day will be donated to Operation Delta Dog,’ the release said. See balinbooks.com.

Veterans expo

Harbor Care, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and presenting sponsor Eversource, will hold its 22nd Annual NH Veteran Stand Down resource and service expo for former service members and their families on Friday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free lunch for veterans and free admission for veterans and military families, according to a press release. The event will take place at Eversource Energy Park, 780 N. Commercial St. in Manchester, and will feature more than 50 organizations, the release said. See harborcarenh.org.

Veterans picnic

Hudson VFW Post 5791 will host its 10th annual Veterans Appreciation Picnic, a free event for all New Hampshire veterans and their families, on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hudson VFG, 15 Bockes Road in Hudson, according to a press release. “The event is open to anyone who has served in any branch of the U.S. military. Veterans don’t have to be a member of the VFW, American Legion or any other veterans’ organization to attend,” the release said. “In addition to a catered lunch, there will be horseshoes, bocce and a corn hole tournament with prizes, plus games and activities for the kids.” Call 882-9722 with questions.

Catch Scott Kirby, Gabriel Donohue and Friends, singers, musicians and storytellers, at Avaloch Farm Music Institute, 16 Hardy Lane in Boscawen, avalochfarmmusic.org, on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 5 p.m. See the website for ticket information, with dinner with the musicians options available.

Adi Rule and Rebecca Rule celebrate their new books on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 1 p.m. at MainStreet BookEnds (16 E. Main St., Warner, mainstreetbookends.com). Adi Rule is launching her new middle-grade novel Ghost Chickens; Rebecca Rule’s latest book is the children’s picture book Who Loves Blueberries? There will be snacks and an activity for kids.

The Nashua Garden Club will host the program “Growing Shiitake Mushrooms” with Tracy Dunne of Breezy Woods Mushroom Farm in Warren on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 121 Manchester St. in Nashua, according to an email. Attendees are requested to arrive by 6:45 p.m., the email said. See nashuagardenclub.org.

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