December 26, 2024 by Smckenna

DEC. 26-JAN. 1

Hometown Heroes edition

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Heroes

ABOUT THE SERIES

Each week, the ‘Concord Monitor’ recognizes one of our region’s many Hometown Heroes. Follow along at concordmonitor.com and learn how you can nominate a Hometown Hero.

Your nominations. Their stories.

In this issue, we catch you up on the Hometown Heroes we profiled in 2024

Small school, a giant role

At274students,Loudon ElementarySchoolistoo smallforbothaprincipal andviceprincipal.

Atsomeschoolswithout anassistantprincipal, craftingamasterschedule, coordinatingstandardized testing,oraddressingbehavioralissuesmightallfall totheprincipal.

AtLoudonElementary, theyhavecometoreston theshouldersofreading teacherStephaniePike

“She’sjustsuchateam playerandwillingtodoanythingthat’sgoingtohelpthe schoolbebetter,”saidfirstyearprincipalDave Bartlett.

In retirement, he’s still delivering

StephenDonahueretired fromthePostalService12 yearsago,butthesedays, he’sbusierthanever.

WhetherleadingaScout trooporclimbingaladderto hangasignforalocalbusinessorinstallinganew floorforacommunityorganization,Donahue’sretirementhasbeenfilledwith satisfactionthat’snotdriven byapaycheck.Hemovedto Franklin40yearsagoand hasgivenalifetimeofservicesinceretiring.

“Heisoneofthosepeople whohumblytakesaction,” saidSarahStanleyofthe NewHampshireVeterans HomeinTilton.

OUR 2024 COMMUNITY PARTNER

Ledyard National Bank is proud to support the 2024 Hometown Heroes, who were nominated by members of the community and selected by editors of the Monitor. Nominate your Hometown Hero today at concordmonitor.com.

She’s teaching through dance

ForSindyChown,dance isbelonging:withinone’s ownbody,withinaculture, withinacommunity.

“Whensomeonedances withtheirheart,youseeit intheirface,”Chownsaid.

Chownstarteddancingas atoddlerinherhometown ofBarranquilla,Colombia.

Forthelastfiveyears, Chownhastaughtdancein Concord,bothtraditional Colombiandancesand otherstyles,forfree.Alongsideherdaughter,Soraya, Chownteachesweekly classesofkidsstartingatage fivewhoperformatevents andfestivalsaroundthe state.

Running to support a para-athlete

HopkintonphysicaleducationteacherJordan Whitakerranherthird BostonMarathonthisyear–butherfirstasasupport runnertoapara-athlete.

“It’sawesometobeableto beapartofthat,”said Whitaker.“It’snicetofeel likeyou’reproudbecause you’redoingsomethingfor somebodyelse.It’snotfor me Theideaofhelping somebodyelseorraising awarenessforsomebody elseisreallyawesome.”

Whitakerexplainedthat forpara-athletes,support runnersofferwhateversupportisneeded,beitphysical ormental.

A

new

start through sports

BobWolfeheardthe storynearly25yearsago abouta10-year-oldboy sprawledoutonthesideofa roadinSierraLeoneshortly afterarebelfighterhadcut offhislegs.

“Thatwasit,”Wolfesaid. “ThatwasallIneeded.”

ItconvincedWolfeto createapairofyouthsports leaguesintheConcordarea thatfeaturedrefugees.The goalforalltheseyearsisto givethemachancetoplay structuredgameswithnew equipmentandsupervision andeasetheadjustment neededtoblendinnaturally withapowerfulformofcultureshock.

HOMETOWN HEROES OF 2024

Finding peace on the court

JimCilley,oneofPembroke’sassistantbasketballcoaches,hasimpartedlessonsbeyondthecourt. Withoff-the-courtobstaclesasa singledad,basketball’sbeen Cilley’splacetoreset.

PembrokeseniorJoeFitzgerald grewtounderstandthatbasketball canbeaspacetofindpeace.“Hereallyjustshowsthatnomatter what’sgoingoninyourpersonal life,youcanalwayscometothe basketballcourtandthatallgoes awayandyoucouldjustdowhat youreallylove,”Fitzgeraldsaid.

Decades of selflessness

RogerSanborn’syearsof dedicationtothetownof Boscawenwereworthyofa TownMetingproclamation.

“Onmostanytownboard, whensomethingcomesup thatneedstobedone,the commonphraseis,‘Let’sask Roger,’”wroteElaineClow. “Beingthegenerousand good-naturedguythatheis, hesaysyes.Thislistdoesn’t begintocoverallthethings hehasdonebehindthe scenesandwithlittlefanfareorrecognition.Heis certainlyworthyofthis.”

A giving neighbor steps up

LizWolfshowedduringtherecentholidayseasonthatnounselfishact istootallfortheAndoverresident.Herfriend,JennyBodwell,wasdiagnosedwithlivercancerlastsummer.Duringhertreatment,Bodwellexpressedaninterestintransformingthe75-footbluespruceinherfront yardintoaChristmastree.

WolfledagroupofvolunteerstoweedBodwell’sgardenandpickpotatoeswhileBodwellrestedfromenergy-zappinginfusions.Wolfcoordinatedtheeffort,gettingwordoutthatBodwellwassickandcoulduse somehelp.Shegatheredthevolunteers,securedaconstructionliftthat reached65feetandraisedmoneytobuytheChristmaslights.

Empathy in the form of a blanket

RebeccaCarlmanknows anewblanketcangoalong wayforthoselivingoutofa tentinConcord.Afterexperiencingaperiodofhomelessnessherself,sheloads whatsuppliesshecanlike deodorant,trashbags,disasterblanketsandpillows intothetrunkofhercarand passesthemouttoanyone shecanfindwhoneeds them.

“Wedoclothes,toiletries, everything,”shesaid.“We wereherelastweekwith socks,hats,blankets.”

Young professional grants wishes

EmilyRicard,historybuff andchairwomanoftheConcordYoungProfessionals Network,triestomakeadifferenceinthelivesofkids throughorganizationslike thementorshipCircleProgramandtheMakeaWish Foundation.

“Youbuildthewish,”Ricardsaid.“Wecantakeit fastorwecantakeitslow. Sometimeswecanraisethe moneyandgetitdone withinafewweeks.Other timesitcouldbeafew months.”

Hospice volunteers deliver care

MariaPacelli(above)rememberssittingatherfather’sbedside ashetookhisfinalbreaths.She wasincollegeatthetime.Evenin thedepthsofhergrief,something withinPacellibloomed.

Sheknewthat,eventually,she wantedtogetinvolvedwithhospiceandfindawaytohelpothers insimilarstatesasherfather.

Now,decadeslater,shededicatespartofherweektovolunteeringwithhospicepatientsin theConcordareathroughGranite VNA.

Boosting inclusion in Concord

Twoquestionsdrive JourneeLaFond’sworkin NewHampshire.“Where aretheBlackpeopleand wherearethequeer people?”saidLaFond.” Daytoday,LaFondworks asatherapistforaprivate practicethatspecializesin servingmarginalizedcommunities.Afterhours,LaFondplansandhostsevents forLGBTQandBlackcommunitymembersinthe Concordarea,namelythe city’spridecelebrationsin June.

Lifeline at the library

Inher30yearsattheConcordPublicLibrary,whateveritisthatpeoplesought, referencelibrarianRobbin Baileyhashelpedthemfind it.

“Peoplecomeintothelibrary,andthey’relooking forRobbin,”saidAssistant DirectorMatBose,who’s beenatConcord’spubliclibraryforaboutsixyears.“I thinkitwasoneofthefirst thingsInoticed.…When peoplethinkofthelibrary, theyveryoftenarethinking ofher.”

HOMETOWN HEROES OF 2024

They’re on a sun-kissed venture

Wherevertheyare,GregPollockandAmberBrouilletteare recognizedas“thesunflower people”byConcordresidents thankstotheirSunfoxFarm,a sprawling20-acresunflower fieldonLoudonRoad,that burstsintovibrantbloom duringthesummermonths.

OffExit14onI-93inthe heartofthecity,thefieldhas becomearuraloasisforConcordresidentsduringtheAugustsunflowerfestival.

Building bonds, changing futures

OdetteKanzayirehasbeentutoredbyTerryIrwin,avolunteerwithOvercomersRefugeeServices,formorethana year.Inweeklysessions,theysitsidebysideinawindowlessstudyroom,theU.S.andworldmapshungabovethem, awhiteboardandacopyofthePledgeofAllegiancetacked tothewall.KanzayireisoneofIrwin’stwocurrentclients. HeandhiswifemovedfromConcordtoExeterinJanuary, buthetravelstothecapitalcityeveryFridaytospendthe daywithhistutees.KanzayireisoneofnumerousNew AmericansIrwinhassupportedinhismorethan10years ofvolunteeringinConcord.

On a walk with friends in need

RossMingarelligenerally doesthingsbyhimself.HeoperatesCandleTree,hisstoreon MainStreet,asaone-manoperation.Hedriveshisax-throwing trucksolo.Herunshistreeservicecompanywithhisowntwo hands.Buthehasahardtime thinkingaboutlonelydogs.So everyweekhedrivesbetween theDarbsterRescuelocationsin ManchesterandChichesterto checkinonhisfour-legged friendswhoneedalittlelove.

Please consider adopting a homeless pet, and make the New Year extra happy!

Stop by during Walk-In hours, make an appointment or come to our next Open House on January 4th 11a-1p!

photo by Rachel Templar

Role model for Girl Scouts

StacyDuffy,ofConcord, hasrunGirlScoutTroop 10162forthepastnine years,guidingherdaughter, Madison,andherfriends throughprojectsandcommunityservice.AlanaKimball,whosedaughter,Caia, isinthetroop,thought enoughofthedecade-long impactthatDuffyhashad ontheseyoungwomento nominateherasaMonitor HometownHero.

Girl Scout restores old Scout House

MeganKatsirebasof Epsom,nowafreshmanat FranklinPierceUniversity, setouttorestoretheScout House,anoldcommunity buildingwheredecadesof BoyScoutshadbeen meeting.Therestoration hadpreviouslybeenslated asanEagleScoutprojectbut felltothewaysidewhenthe pandemichit.Katsirebasdecidedtotakeownershipof theproject.“Ittaughtmea lotaboutperseveranceand dedication,”shesaid.

HOMETOWN HEROES OF 2024

‘Endless donations’ and support

Theregularcustomersat Alan’sofBoscawenknow thatownerAlanAndrian hasabigheart.Overthelast 40years,hehasmade“endlessdonations”toschools andyouthorganizations. Andriandonatessandwichestopeopledownon theirluck,ortorescuers whomightneedsomerefuelingduringanemergency, orshelters,oranyone,really,who’shungry.

He just keeps coaching

It’spossiblethatnoonein theregionhascoached moregamesthanMerrimackValley’sTomBurke, whostartedwithmiddle schoolbasketballin1970at theageof19.Sincethen, Burkehascoachedroughly 125teamsandoverathousandmaleandfemaleathletesacrossmultiplesports andageranges.Lastyear,he coachedthegrandchildofa formerathlete.

Fabric of their community

RandyandHollySilver wastednotimetakingover theBittersweetFabricShop, whichhasbeenastaplein Boscawenformorethan50 years.Itfeaturessewingmachinesandfabricsforsale andhands-oninstructionby acouplewhosepragmatic approachtoagreatAmericaninstitutionhasshown thatquiltingandsewingremainremainaspopularand treasuredasever.

Where lights shine bright

DavidClevelandhasbeencarryingonafamilytraditionthatlightsupa NewLondonfield.Called“TheLittleTreeintheBigField,”it’sessentiallya Christmastree,whitelightsblazing,standinginthemiddleofalong,flat, 20-acrestretchofland,awelcomematforresidentsandvisitorsalikeat Christmastime.Davidhasbeenanchoringa6-footChristmastree–real andartificial–inthemiddleofhisfamily’slandsince1987.Heswearshe’s nevermissedaholidayseason.Thetree’seffectiseerie,calming,beautiful, allrolledintooneasMountKearsargestandshighinthebackground.

Using the arts to sooth illness

NancyPeperissa,ofPenacook,crochetscottonto makesoftskullcapsfor chemotherapypatients.

“Istartedmakingthem beforeIknewanyonewith cancer,”Peperissasaid.“I’d givemosttothePayson CenterandI’dgivesome away.Ifoneofmyhatscan putasmileonsomeone’s facewhoisgoingthrough chemotherapy,thatwill makeitallworthwhile.”

A force for dedication, caring

LeannaLordenhasfewer hands-onrolessincebeing promotedtoCOOatWhite BirchCenterinHenniker. ButLordenhasn’tdisappearedfromthelivesofindividualswhohavebenefitedfromhercaringnature, and,conversely,whohave hadahugeimpactonher. Lordenhasbeenworking therefor13years.Thenonprofitfeaturesbefore-and after-schoolprograms, actingasasupplementto regularpublicschooling.

HOMETOWN HEROES

Help for seniors, on the double

LawreMurphyandBrendaBartlettshareresponsibility forteachingtheBoneBuildersclass,sponsoredbythe Friends’Program,attheBoscawenPublicLibrary.

Theyworkwithsomewhohaven’tyetreachedretirementage,buttheircoregroupincludesseniorsfrom65 yearsoldintotheir80s.

They’retaughttostretch,bend,reach,balance,move, weighttrain,anythingandeverythingthatcanstoporreverseosteoporosisandimprovemusclestrength.Other benefits,suchasincreasedenergylevelsandimproved mentalhealth,arealsopartoftheformula.

Minister of Christmas trees

JimMarshallcoordinates theannualtreesaleforthe ImmaculateHeartofMary ChurchinConcordandwill eventiethemdownonthe carroofforyou.

“It’salotoffun,”hesaid.

“It’saloteasierthanselling raffletickets.Peoplego awaywithasmile,say, ‘MerryChristmas,’andyou feelgoodthattheygota goodproductforagood price.”

Award-winning commitment

CherylStinson,ofPenacook,andherfellowConcordMonitorcolumnists calledtowncriers,have broughtthenewstoyoufor decades.

Tohonortheirefforts, theyweregivena2024 SpiritofNHAward.

Stinson’sfirstcolumnwas publishedonApril16,1995, beforethewidespreaduse ofemail,townwebsitesand socialmedia.

“Ineverenvisionedthat 29yearslaterI’dstillbe doingit,”Stinsonsaid.

HOMETOWN HEROES OF 2024

Best Buddies champion

TenyearsafterCheyenneBoucherandOwenSansouciewerepairedupasBestBuddies atPembrokeAcademy,theystillremainclosetoday.

Besidesfosteringfriendships,BestBuddieshelpspromoteanintegratedjobmarket,offersleadershipdevelopment,andprovidesresourcesforfamilysupportandindependent living.BestBuddiesspans45countriesandall50states,withthegoalofimpactingas manypeopleaspossibleforthebetter.

“Happylife,”OwensaidofhisfriendshipwithCheyenne.“Welaughalot.”

Engaging kids in collaborative art

LoriRowe’shomeis knownaroundPembrokeas the“fairyhouse”orthe “fairygarden.”

Itstartedthreeyearsago whensheputoutadisplay ofhand-paintedfairy houseswithlittlegnomes andknick-knacks.

Thisyear,Rowedecided tohaveneighborhoodkids paintrocksthatformedcolorful“snakes”growing acrossthegrass.Shesetupa tableandchairswithsuppliesandaprizebucketfor themtodecoratetherocks.

Devoted caretaker of little library

MaryMcEvoy-Barrett sawthesandy-brownlittle libraryinRollinsParkin Concordhadasplitup itssideandithungoffthe backofitsbearings,likeit hadtakenagoodpunch. Sherealizedshecouldn’t justleaveitlikethat.Not onlywasthislittlefreelibraryinherfavoritepark,it wasaspecialonebecauseit helpskeepthememoryof herbook-lovingsisteralive. Shefillsthelittlefreelibrarywithbooksfromher latesister,Ellen.

Elevating Franklin High School

DanSylvester,the Franklinathleticdirector, knownaroundschoolas “Mr.Sly,”hashelpedmake thesportsprogrammore competitive,respectedand successful.

“He’sjustaguythatgoes behindthescenesandgoes aboveandbeyondtomake sureourkidshaveallthe supportsandresourcesthey needtobesuccessful,”said PrincipalDavidLevesque.

Greenest thumb in the county

JohnSilver,alifelong Boscawenresident,grewup onalargedairyfarm.Now thegroundsmaintenance supervisortakescareofa massivefarmthatgrows27 kidsofproductatthe600acrecountycomplexpropertywherethenursing homeandjailarelocated. Heoverseesacrewofmaintenancestaffandarotating handfulofinmates.

“Ilearnedthisfrommyfather,”hesaid.“ThisiswhatI didasakid,withgardens andcows.”

Bleeding for his favorite cause

Overthepastfive decades,DavidBugbeeof Concord,hasdonatedmore bloodthanperhapsanybody elseinthestate,although it’shardtobesure.

Hehasgivenapintof bloodtoRedCrossmore than200timessincehewas astudentintheearly1970s.

It’sanimpressivestreak consideringthehuman bodycontainsabout10 pintsofblood.

“Whentheyput(the needle)in,Ialwayslook away,”headmitted.

A world full of music

NicoleDensmore’sworldisfullofmusic.Shebegan teachingmusicintheClaremontschoolsystemnearly30 yearsago.Sheteachesmusictoabout340studentsat KearsargeRegionalElementarySchoolinNewLondon, andhastaughtmusicinthedistrictfor25years.“Yourattentionwhenyou’replayingistocreatebeauty,”Densmore said.“Ourmotto(inclass)is,‘Thepurposeofthisclassis tousemusictoshowchildrenthebeautyoftheworld.’”

HOMETOWN HEROES OF 2024

Serving those who have served

MarkAquilinoandToddWheatleyspentcountlesshoursthisorganizingafishingtournamentunlikeanyother.Theybroughttogether veteransontheseacoastwithalocalfishinggroupforamulti-daycompetitiontocatchtheheaviesttuna.FromJuly27toAug.2,26boatsof veterans,fishermen,andcommunitymemberssetoutontheirmission towin.Thetrueprize,however,wasthe$117,000raisedforveteran serviceorganizationsacrossthestate.AquilinoandWheatleysitonthe boardofSwimWithAMission,anonprofitwhichsupportsveterans.

Gardening to show respect

WhenLindaSarettelaid herfathertorestattheNew HampshireStateVeterans CemeteryinBoscawenin 2019,thesectionwherehe wasburiedhadnogarden. Itwasanomissionthat botheredtheSanbornton residentsomuchsheasked thecemeterytocreateone. She’snowinchargeof maintenance.Severaldays perweekforthelastfive years,Sarettehastraversed thecemetery’swinding groundstoplantflowers,cut downtrees,weedtreebeds, andtendtogravestone.

Serving the city he loves

EachtimeGlennMorrill drivesaroundthetraffic circleinFranklinandthe longgrassblowsinthe breeze,hejokestheswaying bladesarewavinghello.The longgrassattherotaryis oneofmanyspotsMorrill canlookattoknowhecontributedtothe“behind-thescenesbeautification.”

AlongCentralStreet, kayaksarerepurposedas flowerbeds.Inone,sweet potatovinesareplanted withpetuniasandlong grass.Oldbikesarerefurbishedasplanters,too.

Clearing a trail of triumph

AscienceteacherandanEnglishteachermightsoundlikeanunlikelyduo toembarkonanintenseoutdoorproject.ButforformerBelmontMiddle SchoolteachersTimLamendolaandGregWood,itwasanaturalfit.The twohaveworkedoverthelasttwoyearswith18oftheirseventh-and eighth-gradeadvisorystudentstohelpcleararoughlymile-longtrailbehind theschool,hopingthatitcanbeusedforeducationalpurposes,forcross countryracesandgeneralenjoyment.AlmosteveryFriday,teachersand studentsheadedoutwithrakes,chainsawsandothertoolstogettowork.

He gets involved and gives back

Fromhisseatinashaded boothdowntown,JimMillikengesturesatMain Street.“Ipaintedevery parkingmeteryoucansee,” hesays.Healsochangedthe lightbulbsintrafficlights andtouchedupthepaint aroundparkingspaces.In thenearly80yearsMilliken haslivedinConcord,hehas foundnumerouswaysto servehiscity.Thework comesnotfromanincentive forrecognitionorpower, butratherfromapridein andlovefortheplacehehas alwayscalledhome.

A focus on the law

AschairofNewHampshire’sParoleBoardsince 2022,RogerPhillips,now 80,hastakenontheoften unpopularjobofrulingon whetherincarcerated peoplearereadytoreentersociety.

“RogeristheAtticus FinchofConcord,”wrote DanWise,aConcordresidentwhousedtoworkfor thestate’sBarAssociation.

“Heistheepitomeofa community-minded lawyerwhoisinvolvedin theciviclifeofhiscommunity.”

He’s driven to help

AskedwhatLenny O’KeefemeanstoBishop BradyHigh,then-athletic directorAnnieMattarazzo didn’tknowwheretobegin.

“Heisjustagift,”shesaid. “Lennyisanincrediblesoul.”

Heretiredfromhisjobat theMerrimackCountyjail andnowworkspart-timein theConcordPoliceDepartment’scommunityservice unitwithhiscomfortdog, Liberty.Butwhenhe’snot takingLibertyaroundtown, there’sagoodchancehe’s behindthewheelofa BishopBradyschoolbus.

HOMETOWN HEROES OF 2024

They’re creeping it real

Foraholidaycenteredaroundghosts, cemeteries,spookycreaturesandallaroundscariness,Halloweensureproducesitsshareofsimplepleasures.

DaveandSusanBastiensingoriginal kids’songsatschools“justforfun”and eventsaroundtheareaandhaveself-publishedthreechildren’sbooks.Oneofthose booksgrewoutofasongthatinturngrew outoftheirattempttoluretrick-ortreaterstotheirout-of-the-wayhomein LondonderrypriortomovingtoConcord.

Thevolunteerswhoanswerphonesfor thestate’sConsumerProtectionhotline hearalotofsadstories,ofbusinessdeals gonewrong,purchasesthatbecameexpensivelemonsandbrutalscamsthatempty bankaccounts.

MarianneAnastasia,KarenGilmoreMcCabe,BruceBarrettandLisaPorter areamonghotlinevolunteersforaprogramthathasbeenrunbytheDepartment ofJustice’sConsumerProtectionandAntitrustBureausince1992.

HOMETOWN HEROES

Photographer puts focus on humanity

Asaphotographer,BeckyFieldisalwayssearchingfor thestory.Hercameragravitatestowardcontrast.Forthe last12years,ithasledhertotheoften-sidelinedimmigrants,refugeesandNewAmericanswho,onewayoranother,foundthemselvesbuildinganewlifeinourstate. She’stakenover500,000photosfortheseprojects.

“Youcan’tsay,‘Idon’tseecolorordifference,’”shesaid. “That’sstupid.Ofcourse,youdo.Butthat’sgood–it’sinteresting.”

HOMETOWN HEROES

Citizen scientists follow the weather

There’sagroupofNewHampshirevolunteerswhoare likemailcarriersinthatneitherrainnorsnowwillkeep themfromtheirappointedrounds.

That’sbecauserainandsnowisthereasonfortheirappointedrounds.

DeborahandDaveBlanchetofConcordhavebeenvolunteerssince2009foraprojectwiththeclumsynameof CoCoRaHS,ortheCommunityCollaborativeRainHail Snowproject.Everymorningby7a.m.sheheadstothe yardtomeasurehowmuchrainorsnowhasfalleninthe past24hours.ThentheyrecorditontheCoCoRaHSwebsitewhereitappearsamongmorethan10,000dailyobservationsintheU.S.,CanadaandtheBahamas.

A Senior Living Community

Pork Ribeye with Sauteed Onion and Mushroom

Crispy Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo with Broccoli

Vegetable Creama Rosa with Penne Pasta

Grilled Swordfish Steak with Lemon Butter

Chicken Piccata with Mushroom Risotto

Barbering couple gives back

Theycamefromoppositeendsofworld:shefromRiode Jainero,Brazil,population6million;hefromFortKent, Maine,fivehoursnorthofPortland,population4,000.

Andtheyarrivedfordifferentreasons:shetosupport hersicksisterin1994;hetoescapepovertybroughtonby atruckers’strikeduringthewinterof1985-86.

Butdespitetheirwildlydivergentpaths,Cynthiaand DavidCaronultimatelysettledonthesamecalling.

ToCynthia,whoinitiallyaimedtobecomeanurseto helpcancerpatientslikehersister,barberingofferedan avenuetoshowerpeoplewithlovewithouthavingtocare fortheirmedicalneeds.ToDavid,itwasatradethatcame withasenseofsafetyandpredictability.

NowtheConcordcoupleareteachersandco-ownersof theNewEnglandBarberingSchoolinPenacook,which providesfreeback-to-schoolhaircutstoselectschools.

HOMETOWN HEROES OF 2024

They’re preserving our state’s open land

Preservinglandfromdevelopmentisall aboutwoodsandstreamsandbirdsandbeasts. Butit’salsoaboutlawsandcontractsandtax rulesandfinance.That’stheboringpart–yet withoutit,thewoodsandbeastsarein trouble.

ThisiswhytheSocietyfortheProtectionof NewHampshireForestsgavetwomajor awardsthisfalltoattorneyswhohavespent decadeshelpingcreateandmaintainthelegal andfinancialstructureswhichpreserveland: ThePresident’sAwardtoThomasMasland (farleft)ofCanterbury,andConservationist oftheYeartoBobWellsofHopkinton(left).

Monthly dances hosted in Concord

TheNewHampshireEnglishCountryDanceSociety (NHECDS)willhost monthlyEnglishdancesin ConcordattheAuditorium oftheHowardRecreation Center(HRC),locatedatthe intersectionofBrownand KentRoadsontheGallen StateOfficeParkcampus. DancestakeplaceonSundaysfromSeptember throughJune,excludingJuly andAugust.Thenextevent isscheduledforSunday,Jan.

5,withanintroductoryclass at2:30p.m.anddancing from3to6p.m.

Englishcountrydancingis atraditionalformofsocial dancingthatdatesbackto the17thcenturyandis knownforitsgracefulmovementsandemphasison groupparticipation.The dancesareopentoanyone 18yearsorolder,andno priorexperienceorpartner isnecessary.Eachdanceis taughtbeforethemusicbe-

ginsandisprompted throughoutbyacaller.Experienceddancerswillbeon handtohelpnewcomers learnthestepsandfigures.

Attendeesareencouraged towearcasual,comfortable clothingandclean,softsoledshoestoprotectthe woodenflooroftheauditorium.Highheelsarenotpermittedforsafetyreasons. Whileitiscustomary but notrequired tochange partnersforeachdance,par-

ticipantsarewelcometoattendsolo,withafriend,oras partofagroup.

Thewelcomingandinclusiveenvironmentmakes theseeventsidealforbeginnersandexperienced dancersalike.English countrydancingprovides opportunitiestomeetnew people,enjoylivemusic,and experienceauniqueandengagingactivitythatpromotescommunityand movement.

afunafternoonactivity,a waytostayactive,oranopportunitytoconnectwith others,thesedancesoffera welcomingandsupportive environment.

NHECDShoststhese eventsmonthly(exceptin JulyandAugust)aspartof theirmissiontopreserve andpromotethetraditionof Englishcountrydancing. Whetheryouarelookingfor

Admissionisfree,andall participantsaged18and olderareinvitedtojoinin thefun.Theorganizersencouragenewdancerstotake advantageoftheintroductorysessionat2:30p.m., wherebasicstepsandpatternswillbetaught.Dancing followsfrom3to6p.m.

Formoreinformation,includingfuturedancedates, visittheNewHampshire EnglishCountryDanceSociety’swebsiteat nhecds.org

history

Dec.26,2002:Thefirst snowflakesthatlineddoor wreathsandlightsChristmas morningwerejusta harbingerofwhatwasto come,theMonitorreports. Bytheearlyafternoon,snow fellinsheets,withupto20 inchespredictedaccumulationacrossthestate.

Dec.26,1776:Col.John Stark’stroopsleadtheattack ontheBritishandHessiansat Trenton.Capt.Joshua Abbot’sConcordcompany andEbenezerFrye’sPembrokecompanymarchwith Stark.Frye,“beingverycorpulent,”tiresquicklyandtells hismentomoveahead“as fastastheyplease”underSgt. EphraimStevens.Thebattle lasts50minutes.ThePatriot victoryisaturningpointof theRevolution.

Dec.26,1900:Thepolice foilamurderforhireinConcord.Thehitmanturnsinthe womanwhoofferedhim$10, herringsandapairofopera glassestokillherestranged husband.Thewoman,26year-oldCarrieSinclair

Huntoon,isaConcordbelle whocantraceherancestryto thePilgrims.Shewillbe foundinsaneandcommitted totheasylum.

Dec.27,1979:TheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturereportsthatNewHampshire has100morefarmsthanin 1978:3,200comparedto 3,100.

Dec.27,1975:TheNew YorkTimesreportsthatmore thanhalfthecellsattheNew Hampshirestateprisonin Concordaredamagedbeyondusebyinmatesangered overtherefusalofofficialsto releaseadozenprisoners

fromsolitaryconfinement fortheirChristmasmeal. Threepeopleareinjuredin thefour-hourdisturbance andabout100inmatesare transferredtonewlocations.

Dec.27,2000:Hundredsof firefightersfromaroundthe countrygatherataManchesterwaketopaytheirrespectstoDavidAnderson,43, thefirstcityfirefightertodie onthejobinmorethan30 years.Hediedtryingtosave twoboysinahousefire.Some 2,000firefighterswillattend hisfuneralthenextday.

Dec.27,1985:AttheRamadaInnonMainStreetin

Concord,ChristaMcAuliffe givesherlastpressconferencebeforesettingoutfor Floridaandfinalpreparations forthelaunchoftheChallenger.

Dec.27,1925:CharlesD. Parker,thelastsurvivorof theshort-livedIndianStream Republic,dies.Asasmallboy, Parkertookpartintheestablishmentbyhisfatherofthe newrepublic,inwhatisnow thetownofPittsburg.Therepublic’sfoundingwastheresultofalanddisputebetween theUnitedStatesand Canada.

Dec.28,2001:The

OlympictorchcomestoConcordonitswaytoSaltLake Cityandmakesaquickstopat theStateHousefora15minuteceremony.Former Olympians,Concordstudent athletesandwhatseemslike thousandsofpeoplecome outtoseetheflame.

Dec.28,2000:TheCensus Bureauannouncesthestate’s official2000population: 1,235,786.NewHampshire grewby11.4%inthe1990s, fasterthananyothernortheasternstatebutconsiderablyslowerthanthestate grewinthe1960s,‘70sand ‘80s.

Deerfield Fair in Deerfield, NH is seeking an Office Assistant. Candidate must be highly organized w/attention to detail possessing exc. communication skills. This is a PT position is 20 hrs per wk during the Fair's off season from Nov. thru June & 40 hrs per wk for the months of July thru Oct. as we prepare for & complete work following the annual Fair. The candidate will provide clerical support & outstanding Customer Service while assisting vendors, customers, Department Superintendents & Deerfield Fair's Board of Officers and Directors. This is a dynamic position w/varied work duties throughout the year. Hourly wage is w/experience.commensurate Interested parties may apply by sending a cover letter & resume to secretary@deerfieldfair.com.

Fox

WHITFIELD HOUSE, 86-86 1/2 Pleasant St.,Concord. Semi-Private Lodging. 603-225-9734