TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2011
VOL. 20 NO. 51
BERLIN, N.H.
752-5858
FREE
Berlin High streams graduation live to the world BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
Patriarch Partners founder and CEO Lynn Tilton and Androscoggin Valley Regional Refuse Disposal District Executive Director Sharon Gauthier talk at Friday’s Gorham mill reopening celebration. The district is working with the mill on a gas pipeline that will allow the mill to stitch from oil to natural and methane gas. (BARBARA TETREAULT PHOTO)
Large crowd celebrates mill reopening Friday BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
GORHAM – Preaching her message of rebuilding America’s industrial base, Patriarch Partners founder and CEO Lynn Tilton was cheered and thanked by local mill workers at Friday’s party celebrating the planned re-opening of the Gorham paper mill. “We together can set an example for the rest of the country. Let’s make this a fairy tale,” Tilton said to a loud round of applause. Gov. John Lynch, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and a host of local and state officials attended the celebration but it was Tilton who drew the most attention. She walked through the crowd greeting workers who thanked her for purchasing the mill and re-opening it as Gorham Paper and Tissue. Many workers noted they had worked at the plant for decades before it closed last October. Alec Doherty will mark his 38th year in the mill this September. He said he found some work driving cars for Berlin City Dealerships while he was laid off. He said he is happy to see the mill reopening and to be able to get on with his life.
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BERLIN – When he welcomed guests to Berlin High graduation ceremonies Friday afternoon, Principal Gary Bisson noted he was welcoming the world. For the first time, he reported, the ceremony was being live streamed out on the Internet. A packed gymnasium watched the 122 graduates of the Class of 2011 receive their diplomas. In brief remarks, Bisson spoke about the book, ‘What the Dog Saw’ by Malcolm Gladwell, which he said had a great message for the graduates. He said the basis of the book is that everyone in his or her own way has the potential for great success. Bisson said he wanted the graduates to know that graduation is just the beginning and their options are unlimited. Claiming a case of senioritis, Valedictorian Kyle St. Hilaire admitted HE put off writing his speech until Thursday night. He recalled being told when he entered high school that it would be the fastest four
Class of 2011 Class President Marissa Lemoine leads her class to graduation. (RITA DUBE PHOTO)
years of his life. St. Hilaire said at the time he was “pretty sure that see BERLIN page 7
Gorham graduates reminisce, laugh and look forward BY MELISSA GRIMA THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
DRED Commissioner George Bald got Patriarch Partners CEO Lynn Tilton to pose with one of the state’s Dream Vacation signs at Friday’s mill celebration in Gorham.
“It’s time to go back,” he said. While he was laid off, Norm Frechette went to school and got certified as a licensed practical nurse. He was able to work on call at two local nursing homes. He said he enjoys his new career and plans to continue working part-time as an LPN but is glad to return to the mill. Eddy Deblois of Local 75 pointed out see MILL page 8
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GORHAM — There was a little reminiscing and plenty of looking ahead as Gorham High School graduated 45 seniors on Friday, June 10, in the Alumni Gymnasium. It was the school’s 123rd commencement exercise. Tears came early in the evening as things got started with a heartfelt greeting to one parent who couldn’t make the event. Warrant Officer Paul Montminy, currently serving in Kuwait, was able to watch his daughter Linda cross the stage via Skype — a computer based video conferencing program. After the digital broadcast was announced, Linda took the microphone and announced, “Hi Dad! I did it.” Visibly choked up she, and much of the audience, wiped tears as she thanked those who made the transmission possible and closed her remarks by blowing a kiss at the camera stationed at the see GORHAM page 7
Jaylan Parent-Ongel, junior class president, was the poised and capable Marshal for the Gorham Middle High School graduation ceremonies Friday. (GAIL SCOTT PHOTO)
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