Story Time

Ok, so here are my stories for the week. I'll begin posting wedding photos tomorrow, plus some other thoughts. I'm also including a letter that came in from a subject of one of my stories of last month. It was pretty sweet:


To the Editor:
I returned from being out of town for several weeks and found numerous copies of the article that Jim Shilander did on "The Week from Heaven and Hell" in the May 26 issue of the Granite State News.
I wanted to thank you for the time and effort (and newspaper space) you and Jim gave to this article. As you are aware, the book was an important one for me to write and I have received many positive comments about its impact from people in the community.
I would appreciate it if you would let Jim know that I thought his treatment of the difficult subject was excellent and I was very grateful for his sensitivity when conducting the interview.
Thank you both again for your kindness in helping to make the community aware of this book.
Duke Southard
Wolfeboro


Historic home soon to house a B&B (again)
Conlons get set to open Dudley House
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Elise and Tom Conlon of Alton realized early on that their eighteenth century home was what they wanted.
"We owned property in Bennington, Vermont," says Elise Conlon, "but the minute I walked into this house I thought I was home." The Conlon’s operated a bed and breakfast inside the home for much of the last 12 years that they have lived there.
Family considerations, however, have forced the Conlons to not operate as a bed and breakfast the last few years. Now, though, with approval pending on their application to regain their lapsed license, the newly named "Dudley House," will likely be reopening soon.
Elise Conlon says that the new name is a nod to the historical significance of the home, which was built when George Washington was president. She says that a look at the house’s history given to them by the home’s former owners, reveals that the house was built by Daniel Dudley, one of three brothers who fought in the Revolutionary War. When the Dudley brothers returned to the area, Daniel and another brother were given plots of land by their older brother. Daniel Dudley owned, according to Conlon, 1,800 acres along what is now Dudley Rd. Daniel Dudley is buried in a nearby cemetery.
The Conlons take pride in keeping a clean establishment, but also in treating their customers like family. They have had numerous customers come back year after year, including for events such as Bike Week.
The Conlons have also found that such a homey attitude can pay off in other ways. When their daughter and son-in-law arrived in Houston for Super Bowl XXXVIII, they and their group were helped in town by members of the Houston Rotary Club who had stayed with the Conlons. When their son was looking for in internship with a plumbing company, a couple who had stayed several times was able to give him a highly sought after position. "We treat everyone like family," says Elise Conlon, "Part of the reason people go to a Bed and Breakfast is that they are ‘coming home.’"
The Conlons believe that Alton was a perfect place for a bed and breakfast like this the moment they set foot in the door. While their Bennington property was "very nice," says Elise, it lacked the access to the lake provided by the Alton location. "We’ve met such nice people," says Elise, "We’ve never had a problem with anyone. I wouldn’t want to run it in a place where you’d have to lock our doors or give out keys."


Tourism and Gas prices: How connected are they?
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
Lakes Region — Tourism is arguably the lifeblood of the Lakes Region. Summer visitors bring a huge amount of the money that Lakes Region town economies depend on. In fact, many businesses only operate in the summer.
And then there’s the price of gas. With gas prices taking a dramatic hike upwards, and demand increasing with travel and children out of school, and the price of tea in China (so to speak), tourism can take a hike in the other direction.
It would certainly seem that very high gas prices, like this year’s, might have a detrimental effect in this state, particularly in the Lakes Region. Has it?
Margaret Joyce, of the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism, says that there’s a somewhat vicious cycle at work. "Gas prices don’t effect tourism, tourism just drives gas prices higher." So the higher the demand for gasoline is, the higher the prices. Joyce further explains that the increase in prices "is only a minute portion of their (a vacationing family’s) entire budget." She also pointed to the fact that more people are now taking more frequent and shorter vacations, such as three day-weekends, rather than a traditional summer-long or two-week vacations. Joyce also points out that statewide, 80 percent of the tourism comes from Massachusetts, meaning that virtually anywhere in the state is only a one-day drive away or less for its most frequent tourists.
There is some evidence on the ground that this summer might be a little different than previous ones, however. Caleb Gagne, director of rooms at the Wolfeboro Inn in Wolfeboro says, "People are being more careful about how they spend their money." He also remarks that "in some ways we are affected, but the people who come here are going to come here (regardless of gas prices), they just might spend less when they arrive in town."
Joyce also made a similar point, that often if anything gets cut down on in times of high gas prices, it might be special things such as going out for ice-cream.
Sal Nicastro of Sal’s Advanced Auto, in Wolfeboro, said, "my sense is that there aren’t as many travelers this summer," and added that he often has seen license plates from places as far south as the Carolinas, Virginia and New Jersey, in the past, but has not seen as many this year. But there might be another cause for the drop in business for Nicastro, he said.
"Its really hard to tell right now because of the traffic," meaning that the traffic caused by the work along Main and Center Streets may also be at fault for keeping customers away. "We’re nowhere near normal right now," Nicastro says.
While there does seem to be the belief among many that high gas prices are the fault of station owners, several gas stations that we spoke to refuted this. A manager at the Barnstead Country Store, which sells Mobil Gas, says that the prices for the store are set by the company that provides the station with its gasoline. "If gas prices go up, its not necessarily good for business," he said.
Gas station owners often are hurt just as much as consumers if gas prices increase. The profit margins are often lower as prices go higher.
While statewide, gas prices are not affecting tourism greatly, areas of the Lakes Region seem to be getting hit. Linda Matchett, one of the owners of the Tuc’-Me-Inn of Wolfeboro, says that it "definitely has been a softer start of the season for us." But she, like Nicastro, also saw other potential factors for this, "I’m not sure if it’s been the weather or the gas," after looking at her numbers from May."
Whatever it may be, traffic, weather or heat, many businesses in the Lakes Region have been having less than their typical summer fun so far. But it’s only June.


By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — The June 21 Alton Planning Board meeting continued a pattern that has been developing: multi-night sessions.
Last month’s meeting featured such a heavy case load and discussion of those cases, that discussion had to be moved over two nights, including the regular third Tuesday meeting and then finishing the following day. The June 21 meeting also featured a heavy caseload, one that was spread over two weeks, with the board meeting again to discuss cases June 28 (look for coverage in the July 7 Baysider).
The June 21 meeting featured discussions on cases including boundary line changes, conceptual review and the creation of a three-lot subdivision. Perhaps the longest discussion of the night related to the applications submitted by David Livingston for his property on Woodlands Road.
At its last meeting, the board did not accept Livingston’s applications because certain of outstanding questions regarding the status of Woodlands Road itself. The town attorney said that the board could indeed review this particular case because the road bisected the lot. The attorney for Livingston said that the land underneath the road was, in fact, owned by Mr. Livingston, and that the town only had an easement on the road.
Other issues related to the property included questions about whether or not the property was complying with state and local wetland rules and whether proper fees had been paid. The board, after having satisfactory answers to these questions (conditions of their approval of the applications), concluded with the application for a two-lot subdivision.
The Board also accepter an application by Dennis and Susan Gray for a three-lot subdivision, and scheduled site walk for the lot, and continued the applications discussion to the July 19 meeting.
The board also voted to continue the discussion of an application for a 19-lot subdivision to be built by Wentworth Cove Realty. Representatives of the company said that the subdivision would involve the extension of Pearson Rd. as well as the creation of the 19 lots. The application was originally accepted in November of 2004 and had been continued since then.
The attorney for the applicants informed the board that some changes had been made since the November site walk – a conflict with an abutter caused the applications to change the location of a road and also lessen wetland impacts. Abutters spoke at the meeting, including James Bureau, who hoped that the board would take a close look at how the existing cul-de-sacs in the area would be effected by the subdivision.
Other approvals included Alton Heights, LLC’s application to change the ownership of the home on the property to condominiums from a single multi-family dwelling.


Selectmen discuss road swap, plan to honor Drew
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Often times the best part about living in a small town is that certain people always are around to help people and take care of the needs of the town. For 25 years in Barnstead, Eleanor Drew has been such a person.
Drew, who will be retiring this week, will be honored at an open house in Town Hall from 2 to 4 p.m. July 1, it was announced at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Four of the members of the board who were present at the time offered their own remembrances of Drew and offered their thanks. Jack O’Neil said simply "We can never thank you enough for your services to the town of Barnstead." He also described Drew as "a constant source of inspiration and of help." Frank Sullivan echoed O’Neil’s sentiments by saying that Drew "had been more than a friend," during his time as a selectmen, and that she "exemplifies what a small town is about." Mike Akstin said that Drew was always willing to look out for everyone in Barnstead, pointing out that she would help take care of both the year-round residents and seasonal residents, and saying simply "we’re going to miss you."
The Board then discussed road issues with Mark Morrill of the Department of Transportation. Much of the discussion centered on whether the town and state would be willing to make a trade giving the town the rights to Parade Rd. from Route 28 and around Barnstead Parade to the Suncook River (including the bridge) in exchange for a piece of property owned next to the highway garage. The discussion centered on what rights the town would have to the gravel in the area and what arrangements they might be able to make with the state regarding it.
Another issue discussed involved the Proctor’s corner area – a road that has been used for many years as a right-of-way has been fenced in by the owner of the property. Morrill suggested writing the Bureau of Right-of-Ways for clarification, especially since, as Ed Tasker pointed out at the meeting, the area has been used as a right-of-way since 1934, and used continuously since. Tasker also said that state trucks had used the road in the past as well. O’Neil added that the owner had originally said he was going to try and improve the area, and now had blocked it off.
Morrill was also asked about whether the town could get on a list of towns looking for state help in improving traffic safety at corners. The corners of Peacham Rd. and the intersection of North Barnstead Rd. and Rte. 28 were especially hazardous, according to the board. Gordon Preston described the prospects of making a left turn from North Barnstead Rd. onto Route 28 as "lethal." He also pointed out that the town’s traffic pattern has changed, especially since the building of Prospect Mountain High School. Morrill added that the board should draft a letter to the Lakes Region Planning Commission regarding their concerns as well, given the importance of Barnstead as a kind of gateway to the Lakes Region along Rte. 28.
Jim Locke then appeared before the board to discuss a tax that had been levied to him of approximately $16,000. Locke told the board about some of the hard times faced by he and his family that included a lien by the IRS, which was eventually settled. Now, Locke was hoping to make a settlement with the town on the tax bill, in the hopes that he would put in at least one home on the four lots in the future. Tasker suggested that if he donated the lot closest to the dam to the Conservation Commission, where it might be used for a park or other purpose in lieu of paying the money. That way, Tasker reasoned, he could still build on the three remaining lots. While nothing was decided at the meeting regarding this issue, Locke also mentioned that if he decided to settle with the town, he would be looking to reduce his bill to around $12,000. The board also agreed to freeze the interest on the bill, so it would remain at $15,996.85, until the situation was resolved.
Several other issues were also discussed at the meeting. Tasker pointed out that a budget committee meeting was held last Wednesday without proper posting of the meeting, and without he, the selectmen’s representative to the committee, being informed. He urged that a memo be sent to the committee to remind them that this was an illegal meeting, and that email communications between members where business was discussed would also be an illegal meeting. The board also was informed that Rev. Brian Gower’s Center Barnstead Christian Church had volunteered to do the labor for the installation of the handicap-accessible ramp at the police station, which would save the town approximately $2,500.
Website proposals will be reviewed by Preston and O’Neil, who will be assisted by a member of the CRT. Sullivan, Akstin and Tasker were assigned to work on the water ordinance as well as excavation and burning. Another firm bought out the company that charged the town’s fire extinguishers; Tasker suggested finding out whether or not Barnstead was still considered a costumer.

"Mawwiage. Mawwiage is what bwings us togevah today"

So I have to say that I had an absolutely fabulous time at the wedding of Michael Bohne and Jennie Cooper. It was great to see Mike so happy and relieved to finally have this momentous day come. Jennie looked radiant.

When I arrived in Detroit Thursday night, my family met me and we had dinner with my grandmother and my Aunt Mary, and also Gracie. Gracie's growing up really fast, she's already very smart (you can't believe how tempted I was to say "wicked smart" there, maybe I've spent to much time in New England), and it was fun to see her interact with my dad, who has always been really great with my young cousins.

The car I drove at home, the convertible, is similar to a lot of cars in that it often has problems getting started in very hot weather. Weather like we had this weekend in Michigan. While I didn't have any major problems, one of the reasons for that was that I ran the heater in the car to keep the heat in the engine down. Well, as you might imagine, because of this, and because it was a clear, if extraordinarily hot day on Saturday, I drove to the wedding with the top down, hoping to counteract the heater being on. It didn't work. While the car's heat was dissipated, the heat all around me, and especially above me, was still there, and I felt like I was slowly baking. Still, it was well worth it after I began to see friends at the wedding.

The first people I looked for (after realizing that I had remembered the wedding starting a half hour before it actually did), were the member's of the groom's party, who were in the church. It was great to see John for the first time since graduation, giving all of the crazy things he's had going around him, and it was also nice to see Bobby and Mike Huff. But the man I really came to see was Michael Joseph. There were some problems at commencement and I actually was not able to see Mike afterwards, so this was the first time I'd seen Mike since he was in the Workshops. He looked great (as you're supposed to in a tuxedo, I'll have all sorts of pictures coming the next couple of days.) an certainly did seem ready to start his new life. We talked for a while, and I also talked with John. Luckily for me, just as the groomsmen were going outside to take their pictures, Mr. Andy Groggel arrived, virtually on cue. We talked a little more (after having seen each other the day before after he finished work and I had gotten lunch with Steph.) and generally just waited for other Albion folks to arrive. As they did, especially members of the Euphonics, e talked and eventually took our seats. As a brief note I thought I should mention something funny that then occurred. Mike, it seems, had wanted to ask Andy to carry in the crucifix (it was a Catholic wedding after all) at the front of the wedding party. But he hadn't yet, so Bobby ended up doing it moments before the ceremony. Mike, Bobby said, thought that Andy was an atheist, and that he might take offense, or perhaps, that steam or smoke might rise from the crucifix as Andy touched it. It didn't. In fact the whole ceremony was beautiful. As it ended, and the bride and groom dismissed the guests, I hugged Jennie and Mike and wished them luck.

While kibbitzing in the hall afterwards, I also got to talk with Chelsey Wagemaker and Katie Aumann, who had arrived later because of bad traffic on 75. WE talked for a while about the drama of the last few weeks and how it seemed to be resolving itself. While the dram wasn't quite 2002-2003 level, it certainly was interesting. I also got to see one of Albion's cutest couples ever, Chelsea Sadler and Mike Kopec, as well as seeing that D-Rob and Huff seem to have gotten back together.

The reception was tres fun (I slipped into Rhea Morlan speak for a second). I sat with Andy, Chelsey and Katie, and then several members of the Euphonics who arrived later. The open bar certainly seemed to loosen up a lot of people, though my classic bar orders of coke and water remained true to form. I must say though, for future reference, that tonic water, whether by itself or with lime, is totally gross.

I danced with several people, including Katie, Sarah Gebhardt, and the Chelse (y,a)'s and sang along with all of the songs the very lounge-y band played, which was a whole lot of fun. I also got to talk more with John, Chelsey, Andy, Chelsea, Katie and the other people who came, and was especially grateful to get to really hang out with a lot of the incredible new Euphonics for the first time. The Euphonics performed "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" with the solo by the very happy groom. They also didn't do the idiotic garter ceremony, which I was very thankful for, as well as for now chicken-dance or polkas.

John and I talked further after retiring to the hotel, where I stayed wit the aforementioned Ms. Wagemaker and Ms. Aumann, and Mr. Groggel. We watched the Will Ferrell SNL and talked about various things and got caught up. I ended up sleeping on the cushions of the chair and pullout coach at the foot of the king-size bed, which actually provided a fine night's sleep.

The next day I went back to the House, where we enjoyed a very early dinner of some fine Delmonico steaks and homemade French Fries and then packed up for the return trip. While my bags were heavy with laundry and some other things I was bringing from home (namely the food processor we found at a garage sale Saturday morning and my new Albion sweatshirt) we made it to the airport and got through without much hassle. Lucky for me, aster a very tiring weekend, I was the only one seated in my row, and unlike the last two times, I didn't get lost on the way back from the airport.

I'll catch up on other things, plus give out my stories, spread some picture love and some political thoughts, including wondering why the Cable networks seem to want us to invade Aruba, in the next few days.

So, Yeah...

So the Pistons lost last night. I really am not too sad though, perhaps because I'm further removed from the area and I also realize that they'll be just as much of a contender next year as well, though I'm sure changes are coming.

I had a wonderful plane ride and I wonderful time out in Albion, including a return to my old haunts, the home of the greatest enchiladas on earth, Lopez Taco House, to which I took the wonderful Ms. Stephanie Mann in honor of her birthday. We had a fabulous converstaion there, and then over to The Sweet Tooth, where we also played "Guess Who?". Then we went back to Briton and continued to talk, and included the fabulous Rachael Lyon in our discussion, as well as letting them both know about the fabulous Alexander Carroll Wallpaper available online. Anyway, I'm excited to see everyone at Bohne's wedding tomorrow. I'll let you know how that goes later. Now, on with the stories:

Local duo takes Shuffleboard gold at Senior Olympics

By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — There are a lot of great two-sport athletes throughout history. Bo Jackson successfully played football and baseball, as did Deion Sanders. Danny Ainge played guard for the Celtics and swung the bat for the Toronto Blue Jays. Jim Brown dominated football at Syracuse and is considered by many to be the greatest lacrosse player ever. But none of them accomplished the rare basketball-shuffleboard combo.
Mike Akstin of Barnstead did, however. While competing in basketball with a team called “Young Associates,” his team tied with two others for first place in their pool at the recent national Senior Olympics in Pittsburgh, though a tiebreaker kept them out of the medal round. But Akstin and fellow Barnstead resident Roger Hatch took home the gold for doubles shuffleboard. Akstin says that he and Hatch “don’t really play a lot of shuffleboard,” but qualified for the competition at an event in Manchester last year. “At the very beginning we had the touch, but not the strategy,” explains Akstin, the basketball player, who also pointed out that Hatch is an avid golfer, not a shuffleboard player. The duo was made the eighth and bottom seed in their medal round play. They then defeated an unbeaten team from Pennsylvania to advance, and then defeated the two time defending national-champions in the next round. “We were the underdogs,” says Akstin, “ It was a huge upset to beat those teams.”
So it was a good show in the Steel City for Akstin and Hatch. Akstin says that the basketball team’s five wins was the best they have performed at the Senior Olympics, and that he and Hatch will be back to defend their gold metal in Louisville, Ky. in 2007.

Working hard on Master Plan

By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — The June 21 New Durham Planning Board Workshop continued the trends of recent meetings. Gerry Mylroie of the Stafford Regional Planning Commission worked with Planning Board members to formulate revisions to the town’s master plan, as well as putting together an ordinance calling for the town to require Open Space development subdivisions in the future for certain developments.
Board members picked through the most recent draft put together by Mylroie and his assistant Casey Poe, suggesting changes that might make the effort a better fit for New Durham specifically. They scheduled a Public Hearing on certain sections of the Master Plan for their next meeting on July 5. These sections include the vision, community well-being and town character sections.
The board also took time to discuss the current draft of the open space ordinance. Board alternate George Gale made the suggestion that certain developments carry a “trigger” that would require the use of the Open Space plan, and the board agreed that if a road needed to be built in a sub-division, that would constitute such a trigger. Board member Dave Lindberg made the suggestion that the current language regarding soils be strengthened, as the town’s requirements are more stringent than those of the state.

Alton Board reviews issues with State Reps.


By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — The highlight of the June 20 board meeting was a visit by five of the area’s state representatives. Mike Whalley, Laurie Boyce, Janet Allen, Alida Millham and John Thomas, visited the meeting and were asked several questions, primarily having to do with the newly passed education funding bill.
Whalley stated that the newly passed bill, which as of this writing had yet to be signed by the Governor, would not eliminate the statewide property tax, but would allow communities to keep more of their own money. As a result of the new funding plans, Whalley explained that Alton “would no longer be a donor town.” The representatives also intimated that they were comfortable with what other communities in the area would be receiving.
The representatives said that the compromise legislation would still include factors like poverty and also include special education funding as a factor. This would allow communities to keep more of their own money in the community schools. However, Whalley also stated that a court challenge by some of the 134 communities that would lose funding money might potentially be in the offing. However, the representatives said that next year, barring any unforeseen changes, the new funding rules would be in place for 2006. Whalley stated that it had taken seven different bills to arrive at this one, and was hopeful they had found a good bill. Though several representatives from other areas had hoped to bring an end to future education funding fights in a bill, Whalley said, “As long as you have a legislature, as long as you have schools and as long as you have students, you will be discussing school funding.
The representatives also added that a hearing schedule regarding putting a speed limit of Lake Winnipesaukee was up on the state’s website, and was also available through the Winnipesaukee Family Alliance for Boater Safety website (www.winnfabs.com).

Dallas Dog a no go
In other business, the Selectmen denied a petition by Barnstead resident Flora Kerr to open a hot dog business called “Dallas Dog” on Alton Bay. The board was concerned that the business would essentially be semi-permanent during the summer, and that the plan calling for the stand to operate out of a large truck (20 or 21 feet long) would take up to much space. Kerr said that she was hoping to use the stand as a way for her two college aged children to earn money during the summer. Cris Blackstone worried that such a large truck would detract form the views in the area. While Kerr also said that she could use a hot dog cart instead of the truck, the board still had concerns about the permanence issue. Alan Sherwood said that the stand would “not be the kind of thing we’ve had down there before,” and added that the Bay’s vendor areas were “not intended to be a place of business of any permanence.”
Kerr, who said that she and her family had recently relocated to the area from New York City, stated that she was disappointed by the decision, because she felt that Alton’s view “was prettier than any other town.” She also said that she would try to get the stand in another town, but would abide by the wishes of the board.
In addition, the Board also discussed the “harmony on the Lake Festival” being put on by the Rotary club in August. The board approved a revised plan by the club, which also agreed to supply a final list of vendors who would be participating in the August event.
The board also approved an “Art Around Town” event sponsored by the newly formed Black Bear Art Association. However, the board denied the use of Town Hall as an area to exhibit artwork for sale, worrying that it might set a precedent. The board also approved the placement of a “Drug-Free school zone” sign in the area of Alton Central School. Peter Shibley voted against the motion, saying that he felt the school should pay for the sign.

Outlaws visit is incident free, but Chief warns that might not always be the case

By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Though a little late for their planned lunch, the Outlaws roared down the streets of Alton Bay June 18. More than 400 bikes belonging to the members of the group made their way to Shibley’s on the Pier bringing with them some very colorful characters, and an air of excitement through the area.
While the group’s visit only lasted a couple of hours, citizens stood, or sat, and watched for more than an hour awaiting the arrival of the Outlaws. Lolly Cannon, who works at Amilyne’s Corner Market, sat in front of the store with other towns-people to watch. “It’s exciting to see a bunch of bikes coming through and stopping at the Bay, something we don’t often have here,” she said. Others stood on either side of Route 11, and about two dozen came down to get a closer look at the bikes or talk to the Outlaws when they arrived.
The Alton Police, along with state and county agencies, also turned out, in order to keep the peace in the area. Lt. Edward Correia was part of a three-man group, which was stationed in front of the Corner Market. Other groups were further down the road as it approached Shibley’s. He said that the force had put “extra officers in the Bay area,” and that “roving patrols” were also taking place. He also mentioned that the force had the Belknap County Special Operations Unit “on standby” in case things got out of hand. State and county officers also patrolled the waters of Alton Bay from Marine Patrol boats, and a police helicopter made passes overhead.
Inside Shibley’s, there were no incidents, according to owner Dave Shibley. He noted that “a lot (of the bikers) had lunch, some people just a drink or just were visiting (with their fellow Outlaws).” Shibley also noted that police officers stationed in the area helped to direct traffic in the parking lot once the group arrived, and also spoke with him before the Outlaws arrived about what might happen if there was an incident at the restaurant. Shibley said, “I understand why they were there – make sure the group (the Hells Angels) didn’t come down from the Weirs.” Shibley added that he couldn’t recall an incident taking place between the two groups in the area.
For much of the two hours, many of the Outlaws stood in front of the restaurant, talking with each other, on cell phones, or with town citizens. Patches on the back of each Outlaws’ vests or jackets indicated where they were from, including members from Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin and Germany. Some men had “Probationary Outlaw” sewed on, and each of the women who came wearing a vest carried a patch reading “Property of Outlaws.”
One Outlaw, who spoke to the Baysider, introduced himself as Rabbi Moshe DeLaura from Wisconsin. “We (those from Wisconsin) drove 1,330 miles to be here,” he said adding that the group was there “just to visit.” “We’re having a good time enjoying ourselves in your fine state.” DeLaura said that he had been riding for 42 of his 60 years.
DeLaura and another Outlaw then joked about the heightened police presence, saying “We’re not going to go up to the Weirs (where the Hells Angels claim turf) and sit in traffic for 45 minutes to go five feet.” Alton Police Chief Kevin Iwans says there is another reason for this. He said the group was warned last year not to try to go to the Weirs, and that they knew this time from that experience that no such move would be tolerated.
Iwans was pleased that no incident of violence took place when the group arrived, “there (weren’t) any issues, that was good,” he said. He said that in total 15 Alton officers were on the Bay, and that a large contingent of officers from other states and federal forces, which follow the Outlaws everywhere, were there.
He said that there were more intelligence officers following the group than there were Alton officers on the scene. While there were no incidents this time though, Iwans is concerned that many in town seem to view the Outlaws “as just like you and I.” He pointed to an incident, which happened this weekend where town members of the Henchmen, a group affiliated with the Hells Angels, drove past the Outlaws. “Probationary Outlaws were circling them and were ready to pull them off their bikes and beat them,” according to Iwans, though no violence took place.
Iwans said that if members of the law enforcement community are convicted of crimes (as stated by a statement on the Outlaws website last week) the law enforcement community “turns their back on them” and wants nothing to do with them, while members of the Outlaws “reward their people who get put in jail.” He also pointed out that members of the Outlaws have been convicted of murder and for selling methamphetamines to children. “I’m sick and tired of people treating the police as the enemy,” says Iwans, who also said that members of the police department “represent the values and morals of the community.” Iwans also said that members of the force patrolling the area “would have died to go in and save” a citizen that got into problems with the Outlaws, despite being outnumbered by about 30 to one. “What would have happened if police weren’t there and there was a fight? Who would they blame?”
Iwans also said that “just because there has been no incident in Alton doesn’t mean nothing has happened. Iwans said that several instances have occurred in the state where members of The Outlaws and Hells Angels clashed while not wearing their colors, and that there have been incidents of violence between the two groups throughout New England. “I’m not going to put my head in the sand,” said Iwans, “My biggest concern is for the innocent civilians who might be an innocent victim of the group, when they aren’t posturing for their PR image like they did in the Bay. My real concern is for the citizens of Alton and those who visit here.”

Forever first, the PMHS graduates of 2005 have their day

By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — When Prospect Mountain opened its doors last September, all of its students, but particularly it’s senior class, faced the challenge of coming from different environments into a new one. While this inaugural year has been full of successes and challenges, the June 17 graduation ceremony served as testimony to the accomplishments of the school’s first graduating class, as well as administrators, teachers and citizens who helped to make the high school a reality.
As the speakers each took the podium, they shared their love for the class of 2005.
Principal Russ Holden told the class “Thank you for letting me share in your time,” and described how the class “persevered with determination.” Eunice Landry of the JMA board, said, that this class had “succeeded with distinction.” Cydney Johnson, also of the JMA board, urged the class to “enjoy this moment.”
Still, it was the students that brought out much of the emotion of the evening. Class co-presidents Travis Hopper and Meggan Stock took different tacks during their speeches. Hopper asked his fellow students to “look at where we’ve been and how we’ve gotten here,” and also told them to look at the people in the auditorium who helped bring them to this point. Stock recalled how the class bonded despite the initial division, saying that the class was “not (comprised of) Alton and Barnstead students but Prospect Mountain High School students.”
Salutatorian Mark Szarkowski, who graduated with a 4.962 GPA and will attend RPI in the fall, recalled in his speech how upset he was initially to be told he was coming to Prospect Mountain from Concord High School. Szarkowski said that he attributed his change to a change in his own philosophy, and said he now couldn’t imagine a better high school than PMHS. He also led a round of applause for faculty and administration members. Valedictorian Christina Jamison, who graduates with a 5.126 GPA and will attend UNH, described graduating as “a new beginning,” and urged students to “not be afraid to set them (goals) to high.”
Class advisors Kate Best and Joy Hopper used their time to talk about their specific memories of certain class members, as well as to address the ways the class came together. The two closed by saying that the class of 2005 “Touched our lives and our hearts. Thank you for leaving footprints on our hearts.”
Math teacher Charles Rando followed, reminding students “good schools are marketplaces of opportunities.”
The class then went out as a whole to present carnations to and receive embraces from their loved ones in the crowd.
As the class made their way across the auditorium stage to receive their diplomas, and then have their tassels turned by Holden, applause rose for each one called, until each had stepped back to their seats. Soon thereafter, caps went flying into the air, and Prospect Mountain High School’s first graduates stood on the precipice of the next stage of their lives.

Artist leads charge for “Art in Alton”

By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Donna Aldrich-Fontaine loves animals. With three dogs and a cockatoo, her home is often filled with the sound of animals. Aldrich-Fontaine also uses animals as her inspiration. As a practicing artist for 10 years, and a full-time artist for the last four, her primary focuses are “nature and animals.”
But Aldrich-Fontaine is now taking on a new challenge. She is the president of the newly formed Black Bear Art Association. In an effort to increase awareness of art and artists in the region, she is organizing “Art in Alton,” an event that will feature artist’s work for sale in businesses throughout Alton. Aldrich-Fontaine says that she got the inspiration for the idea by attending a similar event in Portsmouth and thought, “We should do something like that here.”
Her group was formed in much the same way. Aldrich-Fontaine says that she wanted to attend art association meeting closer to home, to meet with artists in her area. When the group first began as the “Lakes Region Art Association” it was confused with a group of the same name, which meets in Laconia, prompting name change.
Aldrich-Fontaine says that the event, which will take place from July 8 though July 17, will feature artist’s work in local business in 10 local businesses. The event, which will be sponsored by Profile Bank, will offer artists the opportunity to display their work, and sell it. So far, she says, 10 artists are participating in the event. “All the businesses in town have been overwhelmingly supportive,” she says “this is an idea who’s time has come.” The group will print brochures detailing information on each artist, as well as the locations where work can be seen, she says. The Black Bear Art Association is also looking for additional artists to join. Aldrich- Fontaine said that the group is “looking for serious artists, sculptors and other fine artists,” among their membership.

Turner’s (day) lilies are his new field

By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — Les Turner has been in the business of growing things for more than a decade. While he has turned over management of his main business, Merrymeeting Garden Center, to his daughter Amanda, he didn’t want to leave the business altogether. So Turner decided to open a new venture, Merrymeeting Day Lilies, to focus on, well, day lilies, which Turner describes as “a plant that I’ve loved for many years.”
“Gardeners want more perennials all the time,” Turner says, “and they’re the easiest perennial to grow.” Turner adds that the lilies will be coming into bloom soon, though the heavy rains of the last few weeks have delayed them slightly.
Turner retired in 1994 as Dean of New Hampshire Community Technical College in Laconia, but had lived in New Durham while there. Turner then opened the garden center, he says “to keep me busy.”
Turner’s lilies are mostly hybrids, which are achieved by the breeding of separate lilies together. While Turner has done some hybridizing himself, he also buys from “hybridizers” across the country. Turner is particularly proud of carrying the flowers of four famous hybridizers, which he recently brought up from Florida: Salter, Trimmer, Stamili (“the god of hybridizers,” according to Turner) and Carr. Turner mentioned two particular varieties as being particularly brilliant. Stamili’s “Strawberry Candy” (which Turner describes as being “pale pink with a deep pink center”) and Carr’s “America’s Most Wanted,” which is a brilliant yellow. Still, Turner says that the process can be tricky. Some of his own seedlings were starting to bloom this year, following two years of growth, necessary for each seedling. “Ninety percent of seedlings are no good,” he said.
Turner has a total of four beds dedicated to day lilies. One is likely soon to be named an official U.S. Day Lily Garden by the American Hemerocallis Society, according to Turner. He also raises more than 80 varieties of hostas, which he believes is more than anyone else in Southern New Hampshire, along with a shade garden.

Police find no criminal wrongdoing in firehouse incident


By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — While the events of the May 5 Fire Station Committee meeting caused a lot of heated feelings at the time, the close of the investigation into the incident ended with a whimper, not a bang.
New Durham Police Chief Shawn Bernier announced at the June 15 Board of Selectmen meeting that the investigation was closed, and found no criminal wrongdoing committed by Town Administrator Bill Herman and Fire Chief John Nicastro.
The incident, which arose over the disputed use of a town camera that George Gale wished to use to film the committee’s meeting at the New Durham Library was covered in detail in the May 19 Baysider. Gale alleged that Nicastro and Herman had been threatening in their objections to his filming with the town camera, and that since he was prevented from filming the meeting with that camera, the committee had violated the right-to-know law.
Bernier said, “I found that no laws have been broken and the allegations against the Town Administrator and Fire Chief to be unfounded.” Bernier also added that he did not look into any accusations that a violation of the Right-to-Know law took place. He said that he considered it a civil matter, but did not believe a violation had taken place.
Bernier said that during the course of the investigation, he interviewed several witnesses, including the on-duty librarian, committee members, as well as Gale, Nicastro and Herman.
Bernier also said that after the investigation, he had sheriff Joseph DiGregorio look at the case as well, and that he also found no wrongdoing.
In speaking with Gale, Bernier said that the two agreed, “Not everything rises to the criminal action.” Bernier also said that he believed Gale’s interpretation of the Right-to-Know law was different than what the law actually states.
Bernier did say that one witness reported that “a swear word” was used by Nicastro in the library, which prompted her to move her children from the room. “the word was ‘damn,’” said Bernier.
Herman said, “I don’t really have a reaction,” about the case being dropped, “I didn’t think there was an issue to begin with.” Nicastro said that he believed the incident had been “blown out of proportion for what happened.” Gale said that he believed that “this should be treated as a personnel issue by the selectmen.” “The effort by Herman and Nicastro to disrupt filming has totally backfired,” he says, “I’m very happy with the way it turned out.”

New Huggins machine looks at balance
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
WOLFEBORO — Falls can be extraordinarily dangerous, especially for the elderly. The danger of breaking bones or of being unable to find the equilibrium to get back up again is a danger that many have to live with on a daily basis. Huggins Hospital’s Back Bay Rehabilitation Center, located on Mill St., is using the latest technology to help prevent falls, and possibly to help assuage the fears of those most at risk.
According to Suzanne Matos of the Rehabilitation Center, the Nuerocom Balance Master, uses several different tests to help those at the center determine the best strategy to deal with a patients balance problems. “It helps us see where people’s problems lie,” she says. “We test (patients) in different situations to see if they can keep centered and know where they are in space.”
These tests, which include the use of a foam pad and rocker board, allow patients and doctors to see where their problems with balance are, even if they don’t know they had balance problems. Matos says that there are many factors that could account for the loss of a sense of balance and equilibrium. This machine, Matos explained, helps to find problem areas such as uneven weight distribution. Patients are also asked to perform some tests with their eyes closed, to test their ability to tell where they are in space.
By making those at risk more aware of their own balance problems, the Rehabilitation Center can help prevent falls before they occur. Since the new machine arrived in February, Matos says, more than 50 people have used it, allowing for customized rehabilitation plans to fit their needs. That’s a lot of weight off the mind for anyone.

Se7en

So I saw none of the game tonight, but that's fine, because I get to watch game seven on the big-screen back home. Fabulous.

This is a really short post, but I wanted to congratulate the Euphonics and Albion College's own Elizabeth Ann Snyder, who just got cast in a show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, in a show called "Rumpelstiltkin's Daughter" where she'll perform a solo and a tap dance, and oh, by the way, get to perform in Scotland. Congratulations Beth.

Epiphany

After taking a few hours in Alton Bay to monitor the Biker situation in Alton Bay yesterday (and by the way, for whatever damage they might cause and however seedy they might look, the sight of a few hundred bikers, and their bikes, the moving works of art, arriving en masse, is among the more impressive things I've ever seen), I went out to Merideth to go see Batman Begins. The movie itself is totally fabulous, and with the combination of how good the X-Men movies have been, the success of Hellboy and the quality of both Spider-Man movies (particularly the second), gives me hope for the future of comic book movies of both big companies, including the Fantastic Four.

Those who know me know that one of the things I particularly enjoy reading about and am keenly interested in is mythology. I always loved reading about the characters and stories of Greek myth, and I've always been fascinated by Norse mythology, particularly the concept of Ragnarok, which is unique among the more famous sets of mythological beliefs. Tolkien always talked about the reasons he created Middle Earth, and you particularly see this in the Simarallion, was that the English people lacked the mythology other people's had. We Americans are similar. While we have our own myths, like Davy Crockett and Paul Bunyan, but these are mostly either historical exaggerations of real people or simple tall tales. We lack the same kind of myths the Greeks, Celts and Norse had. Or maybe that's not true.

Like Bill, or David Carradine, I've always been fascinated by superheroes and comic books. What made Batman Begins so effective is that it showed what makes the superhero so fascinating for people in America. They represent about the only way we can have larger than life symbols that stand for something. Christian Bale's performance though , gives the lie to the statement Bill made to Beatrix at the end of Kill Bill, Volume 2. Bill makes the point that unlike every other hero, Superman is always Superman, he puts the mask of Clark Kent on and assumes different characteristics. But Bruce Wayne is also a mask. The moment that his parents are killed, Bruce Wayne, or the person that Bruce Wayne might have become, died as well. What is left is the boy that would become Batman. Billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne is the mask. Its merely an affectation for the benefit of the people of Gotham, and as a really effective way to protect his identity. But the Brice Wayne that's not partying, or jumping on rooftops is still his world's ultimate mind, and the epitome of a person perfecting himself through hard work (and inherited billions). This is why Batman holds much more of a hold on people than the guy with the big "S" on his chest. Superman is entirely "un-human," literally and figuratively. He has a moral code that no man could possibly always uphold, and the things he does makes him more of an uber-man. He fights because its what's right, with no other motivation. Batman has the most obvious motivations of all, an all consuming thirst for vengeance and contempt for criminality.

I realized something else while watching the movie. For those of you who don't know, many of the exterior shots for the movie were filmed in Chicago. When the bridges are raised, those of the five or six bridges spanning the Chicago River. The Wayne Building is a modified Board of Trade, and the area leading up to it, LaSalle St. . The chase scenes were filmed in many of Chicago's streets, and in one of the first scenes where we see Batman, he's standing on top of one of the Gothic spires of my former place of employment, Tribune Tower.

I never made the effort to make Chicago home. When I got there, I was consumed with finding work and going to school during the week. The weekends, I was in Kalamazoo. After the breakup, I just sat in my room, feeling trapped in my own emotions and thoughts, which I unfortunately transferred to feelings about the city itself. But as I watched the movie and mentally ticked off places I recognized, and as I talk about my experiences in the city with my co-workers, I realize that my time there was never as oppressive as it seemed at the time. That was all my doing. The city, by and large, was good to me. It served as a playground, and a place to escape when I needed to get out of my apartment and think. Now that I've had the time, now that I've had the space away from town, I understand what I missed out on. Maybe in the future, when I'm more settled into a career, and have a family, I can return, and more fully appreciate all that Chicago has to offer. So consider this my mea culpa to the city of the big shoulders.

Stories- Week 10

So here are my stories for this week, my tenth here, and the eleventh Baysider. There's one story in here, I was worried might get me in trouble, have some fun and try and fgure out which one it is:


Police, Sheriff urge caution this week
One troublemaker can make all the difference
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Alton Police Chief Keith Iwans wants town citizens to know that the police are prepared for this weekends Bike Week crowds, but that doesn’t mean he enjoys having to make the sometimes extraordinary efforts to properly equip his officers for any potential problems.
"During bike season, Alton acts as an augmenting agency for the Weirs and Laconia. This is the routine every single year." Still, Iwans says that that role has been changing. "Over the last few years, Bike Week has spread into Alton. There’s more stopping and seeing the sights, and spending time in town." Iwans says that often, Alton police officers are responsible for drunk drivers leaving the Laconia and Weirs area, and that often that might include potentially fatal crashes involving cyclists.
What concerns Iwans more, however, is another aspect of Bike Week, an aspect that leads him to call it "the week of posturing." With tensions running extraordinarily high, he said, between the Hells Angels, who hold meetings in the Weirs, and the Outlaws, another group, there is potential for bad situations. "The majority who go to Bike Week are good people," he says, but "for all the benefits Laconia gets, its just not fair to the surrounding communities." Iwans says that the potential benefits of the event are "Just not worth it, for the expenses for outer communities (given the added public safety measures and presence needed for the event). This is where I get frustrated with Motorcycle Week."
Iwans is concerned that members of the Outlaws, who will be coming into Alton on Saturday, may provoke or be provoked by members of the Hells Angels. He is also concerned about a mentality in town that seems to view the gangs as harmless, which he said was the result of "a two-faced charm." "People need to understand who they are and what they stand for, that’s the problem." He also says that he is frustrated with those who feel that the benefits gained in business outweigh the costs to the town. Iwans said that he will pay out nearly $1,000 to $2,000 in overtime for the week, and that costs for additional equipment have added another $3,000.
Dave Shibley says that he was approached by a representative of the Outlaws to have the group dine at his restaurant on the Bay almost two weeks ago. The representative, Shibley says, said the group, which was described as between 300 and 600 bikers and bikes "was not intending on causing trouble," and in fact was going to approach other local businesses about the group coming in. The Outlaws have their own "World Run" in Portland this week. Shibley was told that the group was going to use Alton as a stopping point, and that after eating at Shibley’s restaurant, they would proceed back out on eastbound Rte. 11 and return to Portland through Rochester. Shibley was told that the Outlaws group "won’t be going to the Weirs."
Sharing many of Iwans’ concerns is Belknap County sheriff Dan Collis. He says that he "hopes they (the Outlaws) will stick to the plan that’s been presented." He says that he has held numerous meetings with local, state and federal officials regarding any contingency plans that might be needed if a situation came out of hand. He also mentioned that here were no problems last year when a smaller group of Outlaws came to Alton. "The unpredictable things are the concern," however, he added. "We’re concerned about what might happen if two gangs happened to cross paths on the road. These are things we can’t address." He said that he was hopeful that the Outlaws will have a nice meal and then come back where they came from."
While no representative of either the Outlaws or Hells Angels could be reached, a statement on the Outlaws national website reads as follows: "The government has labeled Outlaws MC a criminal organization and all its members as criminals simply because they are members. This is one of the most untrue and unjust statements ever made about our club. Everyday throughout America and the World members of Law Enforcement Religious, Fraternal organizations and other groups are convicted of criminal activity. Their membership is not universally labeled as criminals." Shipley did not recall the name of the representative who approached him originally, so he could not be contacted either.
Collis also detailed some of the problems between the two gangs recently, including the death of a member of an affiliated gang in Maine at the hands of another gang, the murder of the head of the Philadelphia chapter of Hells Angels by a rival gang, and a bloody confrontation in Canada that left several bystanders dead, as well as gang members. Iwans warned that he had known gangs to not just have fistfights, but to also use ball-peen hammers and potentially other weapons as well.
Iwans cautions citizens to stay away from the area around Alton Bay from between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., when the Outlaws are expected. He says that much of the extra-equipment he has purchased (some of which will later be reimbursed through a federal grant) includes equipment capable of dispersing an unruly crowd in the Bay area, just in case something went wrong. Iwans says that he believes, if things go right, nothing will go wrong. "I expect that if they come to my town and they aren’t harassed it’ll be peaceful. I hope that the gangs have enough respect for the town to not make this their Armageddon battleground." Iwans adds that he will do his best to "enforce the laws of New Hampshire and be respectful and respect the people we (the department) deal with." Still he wants to make his message to any potential troublemakers clear "For the few dollars and cents they bring in here, it’s not worth it. They’re not wanted here (the troublemakers). This town belongs to the town of Alton and the people who live here."


Board waits out House decision, could cost money
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Perhaps the most important issue facing future Barnstead school boards was brought up by Donna Clairmont, the district’s business manager, at Tuesday’s meeting. She reported that the final version of House Bill 616, which was scheduled to be brought to the House floor June 15, would cost the district more than $600,000 in state funding. The bill, which would be effective July 1, would also potentially force an increase in the tax bill, which Chairwoman Eunice Landry speculated might be as much as $2 per thousand for each taxpayer in Barnstead. Audible gasps and rolled eyes greeted the news, and the board seemed to agree that any such funding cut would be bad for the district.
The board also approved two contracts to help improve the school environment. The board agreed to replace the schools burnisher, as well as to enter into a contract with Control Technology Systems to do maintenance on the school’s air system. The company will come in twice a year, under the approved contract, to change filters and do other maintenance. The current contract was called "bare bones" by Clairmont, who added that the additional costs for maintenance and parts borne by the district in its current contract would offset the cost of the more comprehensive new contract.
The board also further discussed the setting of goals for the district. Board member Keith Couch urged the board to adopt a policy "with more teeth" regarding curriculum mapping. Interim principal Michael Tocci and Superintendent Owen Conway both said that the process of mapping would be a gradual one, Tocci saying it would take at least a year to begin to implement. Curriculum mapping, as Tocci explained, would involve teachers setting educational units for each subject by month, so that multiple teachers are not teaching similar units every single year to the same students. It was also noted by the board that such an effort would have to involve a similar one in Alton as well, in order for future students of Prospect Mountain High School to have similar courses of study. Tocci and Conway also added that curriculum alignment for seventh and eighth graders was proceeding well with Alton.
The board also approved the hiring of two new staff members. Barnstead resident Joe Vignole was hired as a behavioral specialist for the school’s "Alternative Program." Vignole has experience with challenging students in the state system. The board also hired Christine De Nuzio as a seventh grade science teacher. De Nuzio comes with impressive experience and recommendations, according to Tocci, who complimented the board for their efforts to increase the district’s ability to offer competitive salaries, which seems to be attracting better applicants for open positions.


Standing room only at retirement party
Fond farewells bid to Parks and Heger
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
WOLFEBORO — Wolfeboro’s Lakeview Inn was packed last Wednesday with folks bidding farewell to longtime district business manager, Sue Heger, and Alton Superintendent Dan Parks. Many loving and glowing tributes of thanks and support were made for both, but especially Parks, who had an often-turbulent year, even as the new Prospect Mountain High School opened in Alton.
"It’s time," for retirement, Parks said, before the festivities. "I’ve been a superintendent for 26 years, the last five in Alton," he said.
Parks, though officially retiring, will however be working in an interim capacity as a superintendent in the Lakes Region next year (the announcement regarding specifics was to be made this week). Parks had previously been in upstate New York before coming to New Hampshire.
He said that he was proud of the work that he accomplished with his team, stating, "It was a real challenge to get the JMA approved, we built the high school and we did it on the first try." Parks also mentioned Alton’s "wonderful faculty, great administrators and wonderful students," as part of what he loved about his job.
PMHS English teacher Mark Murphy acted as emcee of the event, which featured funny reflections on Parks’ love of golf and some of his favorite stories, as well as tearful moments of thanks and appreciation for what the two retiring administrators had done for the community.
Joyce Hopper, a former school board member, spoke with great respect for Parks, and recounted the difficult situation the school district faced before he took over, including the loss of teachers, no teacher contract, and the possible loss of accreditation. Parks, one of two finalists for the role, was asked, "Do you really want this job?" She recalled his answer as a straightforward, "Yes, I do."
Parks had then assured Hopper and the other board members that he was ready to take on the challenges faced by the district. She also recounted how Parks would give kids lunch money, as well as the occasional ride home if they needed one. Hopper said that she was saddened by Parks retirement, that Alton was "losing the best administrator we’ve ever had." The assembled crowd then gave Parks a standing ovation. Hopper concluded by saying, "I love Don Parks."
Other school officials and teachers all made their own remarks about Parks during the ceremony. Peter Farrell said that Parks had helped Alton and Barnstead "make a defining statement."
Others spoke of Parks’ personal attention to students and faculty, and Heger’s numerous contributions to the district. Prospect Mountain principal Russell Holden also presented Parks with a drawing of the school created by a student, as a final gift.
Both Parks and Heger spoke at the end of the presentations about being "overwhelmed" by the sentiments of the evening. Parks also said that he was proud that the district "got a lot done when people didn’t think we could do it," under his leadership.
Heger had been with the Alton school district for 23 years until deciding to retire this year. "I started as a clerk/typist for $3.75 an hour," Heger said, "and I worked for five separate superintendents." Heger said the biggest change in the district was the split from SAU 51 in the late 90s, after which, she took over the day-to-day business operations. She plans to travel with her husband, John Martin, around the country to visit grandchildren, and they will be going to Hawaii next spring.


Penny Sawyer vs. Diabetes
Award for Barnstead nurse
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Much of Penny Sawyer’s adult life has been spent fighting diabetes. As a nurse at Concord Hospital for 20 years, she has seen the debilitating effects of the disease. As a certified diabetes educator for the last 15 years, she has made it her work to teach those most at risk of developing the disease to better manage their lifestyle, and to teach those already afflicted to have a better quality of life.
Sawyer was recently presented with an award from the New Hampshire Association of Diabetes Educators. The "Dick Smith Award" was given to Sawyer in recognition for "extraordinary commitment of time and effort to the mission," of the Association.
For those unfamiliar with diabetes, it comes in two different forms, with similar results. In Type I (more often called Juvenile diabetes), a faulty pancreas fails to produce insulin, a hormone that allows the body to absorb sugars and carbohydrates. The more common Type II (formerly called adult onset diabetes) afflicts a person whose body, in Sawyer’s words "doesn’t react as well to the insulin produced."
"There’s a lot that can be done about type II," says Sawyer, whose work includes both types. "Many children are developing Type II." This accounts for why the disease is no longer called "adult onset."
Many of the risk factors for Type II can be fixed, however. Sawyer includes inactivity, poor eating habits, obesity, and elevated cholesterol levels, among many of those risks. Much of Sawyer’s work involves education about the illness, including working with children and schools to administer proper care and how best to avoid getting the disease. Sawyer also works with Type I and Type II sufferers as an insulin pump trainer.
Sawyer also works as a diabetes educator at nursing homes, and at Pittsfield Medical Center. She cautions that diabetes can strike anytime in life, emphasizing that Type I diabetes can be discovered in the elderly, and its negative effects, including potential blindness, heart disease, kidney problems and numbness, can strike Type I sufferers even if they’ve lived a healthy lifestyle. Sawyer also stated that many times, diabetes is found in patients coming in for checks on other complications, such as heart disease. She stressed the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and staying active as being important for those in danger of developing the disease.


Globetrotting musician to perform at PMHS
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
Alton — It doesn’t take long to realize that Peter Robertson isn’t a native of the Lakes region. His accent is classic Aussie, but he has made the area his home as a recording artist. After playing as a session guitarist for platinum-selling artists in Australia, and playing in London and Nashville studios, Robertson went solo. He has found a home in New Durham, with his wife Mara Kerns-Robertson, where he hopes to work on his music.
Robertson originally came to the US "for music."
"I was living in London, and then came to Nashville to do work, including working with Tim McGraw’s band, Keith Urban and Jamie O’Neill," says Roberston. He explains further that he "met a friend who came from Boston, and I had never been to Boston. So I worked doing gigs in the area, and became musical director of a session band for touring groups." Robertson explains that he then met his wife and moved to New Durham this past year.
Robertson has recently released an album, "Who I am," featuring much of his own work. After his wife gave him the idea to begin performing his own work, Robertson sent a demo to a producer in Nashville. His hope was that the producer might suggest other artists who would perform the songs he had written. "The producer said ‘you should do your own thing,’" said Robertson, which helped give him the drive to record his first album. The first single, and title track, has been receiving airplay across the country in test markets, especially Top 40 and adult contemporary stations. Robertson says that another single will be going out later this year, as well.
Robertson will be performing with his band, with guest performances by students from Prospect Mountain High School. "They’ve been picking my brain about what the industry’s like," says Robertson.
The PMHS concert was suggested by the parent of one of Robertson’s guitar students, Becky Rouleau. By giving a chance to students to perform, Robertson also hopes to "get them in front of a crowd," and show them what the concert experience is like as a performer.
Tickets for the performance can be purchased at the door. The proceeds from the will be donated to the PMHS PTSA. The concert is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, but Robertson recommends arriving at 7. He called the 600-seat-Prospect Mountain auditorium "impressive" and will be performing songs from his album, as well as newer material.

Mike and Mike

This weekend has been all about Mike Tyson and Michael Jackson, and the end to their incredible fall from the pinnacle of their professions. While Jackson was acquitted of all charges today, the revelations that came out about his bizarre lifestyle effectively were the death knell of a career that literally had the potential to change the world. If one looks at the stuff that Michael did right after his split from his brothers, that era where he did "The Wiz", Don't Stop til You Get Enough, and up to Thriller, which remains one of the great albums ever recorded. Its almost as if, when his hair caught fire, something just seemed to change. He recorded Bad, which is okay, but not great. Then, as the skin disease set in, as he got whiter and whiter, and retreated further and further from reality, the world just became too much. Here's someone who never had a childhood, who's emotional development is stunted to the point where he seems like some pre-adolescent. He's not a sociopath, his conscience, his own sense of reality is just so warped that he can't see how his actions might affect people's perceptions. I'm not happy, and I'm not displeased that he was found not guilty, I simply do not care. When you think of the lives his work changed (and given those people standing outside the courthouse, you know it effected some), its sad to see the potential and the last twenty years, totally wasted.

The legend of Iron Mike died Saturday night on a stool at the MCI Center. I firmly believe that the late 80's, and the early 90's were the golden age of bad boy's in sports. When the Miami Hurricanes stepped off a plane into the Arizona night in Camo to take on Penn State, it signaled a start of an era. The Hurricanes, The Bad Boy Pistons, The Bash Brother A's and the Doc and Strawberry Mets, and ending with the Running' Rebels of Jerry Tarkanian. But the leader of this, the baddest mother on the planet, was Tyson. With the ferocity he showed, whether the destruction of Larry Holmes, his annihilation of Michael Spinks in 93 seconds, coming out in the black boots, black trunks to "Welcome to the Terrordome", Tyson truly was a frightening human being. You knew, when you saw him move, when you saw him throw a punch, that here was this awesome presence, this man who would rip your heart out if he needed to. But then he went with Don King. Then came the marriage to Robin Givens, then came the image of him groping for his mouthpiece as Buster Douglas pulled of the most shocking upset of my lifetime. Then came Desiree Washington and prison. Every fight after he got out, from the two fights with Evander, including biting the ear, was about trying to get that presence back, and it never returned. Now, since Lennox Lewis (the best fighter of his generation, including Tyson, Holyfield, Bowe and Moorer) totally destroyed him in Memphis, its obvious that Mike's heart is not in it. He said as much after the fight this week. That's not what you want when you participate in a sport which is the most violent on earth. He can no longer summon that rage, that intimidation factor. He needs money, but its time to stop. Tyson has been incredibly introspective lately, perhaps the rest of his life can be a testament to a true second chance. Maybe he can be a true role model away from the ring, and achieve the peace he's been searching for his whole life.

Week #9- Yup- this has gone by so fast

Seriously, were almost 20% of the way through my first year here, its amazing how quickly this is going:


New Durham Planning Board continues look at Master Plan

By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
NEW DURHAM — The New Durham Planning Board could never be accused of not taking their time to look over the new master plan.
Four more than half of the board’s four-hour June 7 meeting, Gerry Mylroie of the Strafford Regional Planning Commission went over the board’s current language, and he and the board went over possible changes in areas ranging from the vision section of the document and areas relating to town beautification. Members suggested their own revisions to each section as well. They worked to consider the needs of the town as well as to clarify language if and when future planning boards consider changes or are looking at it for guidance.
Mylroie, who is also affiliated with the Natural Resources Outreach Coalition, a group that is assisting in putting together "smart growth" proposals for the future growth of New Durham, also went through another ordinance with the board. Mylroie’s presentation focused on the Open Space Conservation Subdivision Ordinance, which the Planning Board is working to put to voters at an upcoming public meeting; this will be scheduled when the language is finalized.
The ordinance would amend the current zoning regulations to allow for new subdivision configurations. The configuration proposed by Mylroie would call for houses to be placed in groups closer to one another, with half the buildable land being used as open space. To better illustrate the concept, Ron Gehl gave an example at the meeting: if a 10-acre parcel "was subdivided into five homes, each requiring two acres, half of that 10-acre parcel would be reserved for open space, thus shrinking the two-acre lots to one acre."
State regulations regarding septic tanks and other issues could be met on a one-acre lot, thus the other acres could be used as common open space between the five homes. Still, the board did raise several issues regarding the language of the ordinance with regards to tailoring it to better fit New Durham’s needs. The June 21 meeting will feature discussion of both issues.
Also at the meeting, town resident Dick Bernard asked for guidance regarding a subdivision that he said he had been waiting for two years to resolve. Bernard first raised the issue at the August 5, 2003, board meeting, he said. A planned deal with a neighbor, which would have solved some of the problems with the subdivision of his lot, fell through, and he returned to the board almost two years later for guidance on how best to proceed. Bernard said that he would soon be looking to put in a private drive, which would be up to town standards, to give him the necessary frontage to subdivide his lot. Bernard said he was looking to give a lot to his son, (who currently lives in a mobile home on the property), to build a permanent dwelling. Bernard agreed to discuss the issue with the Road Agent. And the board, because of some tricky language in various town ordinances regarding these issues, will send the issue to town council for guidance.
One controversy discussed late in the meeting was the result of a draft letter sent to board members by Chairman Bob Craycraft, regarding the Fire Station Task Force’s plans regarding capital improvement plans for the new fire station. Cathy Orlowicz felt that the tone of the letter needed to be changed, so as to not appear to be going over the head of Fire Chief John Nicastro. The letter was amended. The board also agreed to attach e-mails sent regarding the issue be made a part of the minutes of the June 7 meeting to be discussed later.


Bargain hunters roamed the streets
Alton’s community yard sale a hit
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Cars crawled along the streets, while gangs of seniors and young people alike walked all over Alton June 4; there was a palpable sense of bargain hunting in the air.
The eighth annual Alton Town Yard Sale, an event sponsored and organized by the Parks and Recreation department, had more than 50 sales around town going at once, and those were just those who had registered with the town. Many others, including those just looking to sell an old boat or car, also put out their "sale" signs on Saturday. The event, which was created in order to foster a sense of "community spirit," according to the Parks and Recreation Department, has become a way for Alton residents to get together for a day, as well as for those from other areas to explore the town.
Even early in the day, sales seemed to be quite brisk. Sam Huggard, who’s sale featured items from a computer monitor to picnic baskets, said that it "was kind of fun to do this town wide." He joked, "Everyone gets to trade junk for the day."
Some used the event for other causes. Amy Johnson, of Alton, had a sign in front of her sale saying that all proceeds would be going for cancer research. Johnson explained that she was involved with "The Relay Walk for Life," and was using the sale to help further fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society. The sale in front of the Alton Veterinary Clinic was one of the largest of the day. This one caused parking backups as the sale-seekers made their way to a display featuring furniture, baby clothes and a big collection of you-name-it.
The town provided a map to all of the sponsored yard sales, which extended all over Alton with a large concentration around the center of town and the Bay. One yard sale, which was operated by Laurie Rasbridge, had been operating all week. "We’ve had tons of stuff, we’re still pulling out more," she said. Rasbridge also said however, that while her sale was open all week, the town-yard sale still brought out a lot more people, "A lot of people have set this day aside," she said. "It helps, people know the community is doing it, which is helpful."


Nearly touching death, Cosline finds her voice
Barnstead woman survives Aneurysm to tell her story

By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Liz Cosline almost died at an Easter egg hunt.
In April of 2001, Cosline suffered a brain aneurysm while at an Easter egg hunt in Pittsfield with her young daughter. A blood vessel essentially exploded in her brain. Cosline describes the event, which she says came with no warning was "like lightning striking from the inside out." The pain, she says was "consuming" and, "like getting shot." She collapsed to the ground, completely immobilized. Cosline was holding her then 2-year-old daughter at the time; however, she cannot explain how she didn’t drop her to the ground.
As time slowed down around her, Cosline says she "could feel her body going into trauma." "I knew I was dying," Cosline says, "It was very clear." Rescue workers, who were at the scene to monitor the Easter Egg hunt, arrived to tend to her in preparation for the arrival of an ambulance. It was then the Cosline’s life changed.
She says that another world "descended on this one," so that essentially, she was living in two separate worlds, and her pain left her. She says this other world was "right on top of ours."
Cosline’s new book, "One Voice," describes what Cosline says happened to her in that other world. As to whether she believed that she saw heaven, Cosline answered quickly, "no doubt it was heaven." Cosline describes what has happened to her since her aneurysm as "an incredible journey started then that makes you look at things differently."
Cosline described part of her experience in being flanked on either side by two beings in Cosline’s vision of heaven. One, on her left, she believes to have been the Angel of Death. The one on the right, which Cosline described as "pure energy, and a white light," Cosline believes to have been the spirit of God. While that spirit dissipated as she entered the ambulance, the one on her left remained until she neared the hospital.
Things didn’t necessarily look good for Cosline as she entered the hospital. The doctor who examined her wrote in his log "an unfortunate woman came in today," and he indicated to Cosline’s loved ones that a stroke, convulsions or even a coma might be likely for Cosline, despite the fact that she had retained consciousness during her aneurysm. Cosline suffered no such fate, and awoke on Easter morning after emergency surgery.
Cosline has taken to writing much of her story. "One Voice" is part of a trilogy of books she has written about her near-death experience, and she has just begun work on her fourth. Cosline, who works at Catholic Medical Center, and attends services at South Church in Concord, has taken to seeing the world in new ways. "There are thousands of possibilities for people," she says "Its whether we see them or not…I had always believed and prayed to God," she said, adding that she had "gotten away" from attending church for a long time. "Now I know He exists with no doubt."


National theater group calls Barnstead home
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — It’s not just a simple barn.
While there are still bales of hay and horses in the barn owned by Kathy and Gordon Preston, there’s are lots of things you won’t find in your average New England barn…like rows and rows of costumes, swords, sets, antique furniture and anything else required for being home base for one of the nation’s largest touring theater groups.
Michael Phillips, the artistic director of the Hampstead Players, the group operated by the Prestons, says that there’s a difference between the shows that their company does and the others that often perform at schools. "We do educational theater, not children’s theater," he says, "we do classics." While primarily focusing on bringing Shakespeare to young audiences, the theater company also performs stories from Charles Dickens (including a version of "A Christmas Carol"), Greek myth, and Native American legend. This is in contrast to much of what is performed in "children’s theater," which tends to cater to the youngest of the young. Phillips describes the difference as "trying to bring the audience up, as opposed to going down to where you think they are."
Phillips does take special care to make sure the troupe presents their mostly school audiences with something they can relate to. Plays are often cut down to fit into the usual 50-minute performance time.
The Players also adapt Shakespearian plays, with an adult audience in mind. Additional material is added, though not to Shakespeare’s original language, to help "contextualize" the message of a play. Phillips gave as an example a production of "MacBeth" which contrasted "an issue" in Shakespeare’s marriage to Anne Hathaway and the problems facing Lady MacBeth and her husband.
That attention to detail also served to aid The Hampstead Players when they put on their condensed version of Shakespeare’s most famous play, "Romeo and Juliet," given the tragic circumstances at the end of the play. Phillips and his colleagues were concerned how the dramatic suicides of the protagonists would affect young audiences. Phillips contacted numerous child psychologists and asked, "How do we best handle this?" By following the advice, and taking the time to carefully craft the scenes, the company has never received a complaint about the way the play ends or has been presented.
While the company is headquartered in the Lakes Region, the Players perform all over the country. The last of their spring touring groups finishes June 3, and already, booking are filling up for next year’s spring season. Next fall, they will tour schools on the West Coast. Each touring group the company sends out (there can be up to 10 teams at once) can perform multiple shows, given that all of the sets and costumes come along with them in minivans. The group also makes "nearly all of their own costumes," according to Phillips, but that can get expensive, running as much as $10,000 to $15,000 per show, because each costume needs to be produced 11 times (one for each of ten teams and an understudy).
The actors also come from all over the country. The Prestons' barn, already outfitted to store all of the sets, costumes and props, is equipped with two rehearsal rooms for actors. Phillips says the Barnstead location is "known throughout the country as a training center for actors." The actors who come to work can often spend as much as 12 hours day rehearsing, which also explains the needs for "dorms" in the building, rooms set up with mattresses allowing as many as 20 to stay in the house at one time. "Having 20 actors in here, it can get pretty hectic and loud," says Kathy Preston, who is also a long-serving member of the school board.
While many of the Players are gone for much of the year, the Prestons and Phillips stay behind and work to book new shows at schools, and in Phillip’s case, looking to develop more material. There are currently 18 shows done by the troupe, but Phillips is looking to add another two next season. The troupe performs between 1,500 and 2,000 shows per year, including performances in urban areas, catering to between 400 and 600 audience members at a time.
Phillips also added that the group, which recently became a non-profit, would soon be starting a capital campaign to bring a new theater complex to the Lakes Region. Phillips said that the theater, which he hopes will be built within 10 years, will be a reproduction of the Globe Theater in London, where Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed. Phillips mentioned that it’s possible that a full-time company might then be able to stay and perform in the Lakes Region. Phillips says he also hopes to perform some of Shakespeare’s lesser-known works there, along with those of other Elizabethan writers.
Still, the goals of the company will remain Shakespearean and other performances of the classics for young people. "We have to change the ways audiences think," says Phillips. Maybe it’s working. One of the first times that "Hamlet" went out with the company, Phillips says, a child began shouting at the actors who were playing Hamlet and Laertes during their fight scene: "Luke, watch out!" After the show ended, Phillips said talked to the young yeller and asked him what he meant, obviously knowing the boy was referring to Luke Skywalker. "Hamlet," the boy said, still referring to Phillips by his character’s name "you were fighting with your family the way Luke fought with his." There might not be a better, simpler way to think about the play than that.

Victors Valiant

Michigan just won their first national championship in women's softball. They've been to the WCWS for the last several years, but never seemed to be able to break through and win anything, and I mean, a single game. Its really amazing, when you think about the fact that Michigan is the first team to win the WCWS from east of the Mississippi. The power, witnessed by UCLA having won 10 national titles (oddly enough, the same number of titles John Wooden won there) is on the west coast. Especially in California and Arizona. Michigan seemed to be playing a very different style of ball, relying much more on extra-base hits and home runs than on the typical slap-hitting and hyper-dominant pitching. Michigan's pitching is good too, but the strikeouts aren't nearly as high as some of the other teams and pitchers. But, wow, seeing them win a national championship, knowing that Carol Hutchins has been at Michigan for more than 20 years and essentially built the program by herself, is incredible. And making this especially poignant is that Michigan just lost former athletic director Don Canham, the man who's most responsible for making Michigan as well known across the country as it is, and for making it possible for Michigan Stadium to sell out for the last 20 years, who was the man who hired Hutchins, and helped make some of the less well known sports, like softball and swimming, a priority.

I also watched the latest Sports Kids episode, and things are kind of proceeding as I thought they might. The skating son and his mom's relationship seems to be frostier by the minute. The equestrian family is having to make the choice on whether to sell the horse or not. Now that was a lie. The mother is almost being forced to sell the horse because of her financial situation, and the daughter didn't even know that there were potential buyers for the horse were going to look at the horse at the farm she went to ride at for a weekend. The cheerleading mother seems to be, well, crazy, and seems to be totally overdoing her child, who does about 12 dance or cheerleading related activities, which even cuts into her school time, meaning things are a little screwed up in mom's head. They also showed Craig and Trenton going through a workout, which included Craig playing quarterback with Trenton as a receiver going against the personal trainer Trenton works with, attempting to score a touchdown. He didn't, and actually got hit pretty hard. But what really intrigued me was seeing Trenton and his mom, and Trenton was practicing an instrument, one that if he stays with, will assure him a job for the rest of his life. Yes, mothers of America, do the smart thing and make sure your children know how to play the electric bass. Smart move by Trenton's mom.

One last Tony observation. Who wasn't secretly rooting, after Bill Irwin won for actor in a play, and knowing that one of the other nominees was Billy Crudup, and that Mary-Louise Parker was nominated as an actress, that she would win. At which point she could, borrowing a classic turn of phrase from the Rock, take that Tony, shine it up real nice, and stick it straight up his two-timing, doesn't know how good he's got it, candy ass.

I had an extraordinarily long meeting last night, four and a half hours at a New Durham Planning Board meeting, so today has been about me being tired. We also had a little problem getting out The Baysider, because the publisher sent a different template after we had already sent it out, so Mary and Josh had to rework several pages.

Myself, Adam and Shannon, and the newest reporter at the Granite State News, Adam Coughlin, will be going to the Wolf Trap, which is a local bar, Friday night. We'll see how this goes, I'll keep everyone posted.

Hey Hey

The Pistons just took Game 7, to go into the Finals. This was clearly the best game of the series, and I feel like both teams can be extraordinarily proud of the way they played. Dwayn Wade is the real deal, he's certainlty the best of Shaq's running partners, even this early in his career. The rib injury will be used by Pistons critics to say that the Heat weren't full strength, but injuries happen, you play with what you've got.

There were a couple of interesting things in last nights show. One- Light in the Piazza looks totally fabulous and timeless, and I thought, given that it actually won more Tony's than Spamalot, that it might win. Alas, it was not to be, but Spamalot also looks like a fabulous show that deserved the honor. I was gratified that Bill Irwin won for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and the reaction of his castmates. I can't imagine what it's like to be in a small cast like that on Broadway and how close things have to be between these people. When you see how much cast's support each other, its really amazing, and its what makes theatre great.

It was also gratifying, to use Laura's word, to see the amount of people, like the winner for choreography, and the winner for best actress in a play, who thanked their partners. Then there was tear-inducing sight of Edward Albee paying tribute to his just deceased partner. It was very touching, and if Middle America chose to focus more on the Cagelles than these touching moments, they have a screw loose.

The real winner last night had to be Edina Menzel, because she's a winner every night. She get's to go home to Taye Diggs. She's really attractive too, though. The serious issue, though, is that they've gotten hate mail because of their marriage. That's incredibly sad.

Its kind of fun watching women's softball. Michigan is in the Women's College World Series, and its so interesting to watch, because its totally different than baseball. Everything favors the defense. The pitchers not far away, and they throw incredibly hard, and its hard to hit anything called a "riseball." The bases are only 60 feet, but most of the time the defense is in so tight its hard to do anything. It was also interesting watching Lacrosse Memorial Day weekend, just because, again, its a cool sport that's fun to watch because its different.

Anticipation

So, I'm sitting down tonight to watch America's best, and therefore least watched awards show, the Tony's. I don't really feel totally confident in predicting anything, because I've only seen one nominated show, so I'm not going to predict anything, but there's a reason its better, because its the only awards show that celebrates something that gets performed live only.

I've noticed a couple of other things while watching the box with the moving pictures. One, as happens every couple of years to me, I got sucked in to watching a Bunim-Murray show on MTV. This year, it seems that I'm getting into the newest "Inferno" competition. I guess I've mainly been frustrated in watching it because some of these people have literally spent the last seven or eight years being employed by MTV, and they've either really learned how to play to the camera for dramatic effect, or we simply are seeing one of the best assemblages of immature people ever found by human beings. Some of the people have literally been on these challenge shows for their entire run, which means they have literally accomplished absolutely nothing with their lives, well, except all that time they've spent on TV performing in silly, ultratestosterone carnival shows. But then, I spent a couple of hours watching it in order to rant about it, so who's the idiot. (Points finger at self)

The other fun show, from the network that has proven, especially in the past year, with certain shows involving Runways and the Projects surrounding them, is Bravo's SportsKids Moms and Dad's. I realize that part of me is watching this to see exactly how much psychological damage we think gets done to these children by their sometimes maniacal parents, but the show, even after one episode, has me sucked in. Of the five families profiled, I'm really interested by four of them (the other is the classic parent is also coach dynamic, which isn't nearly as fun as the others). The one with the most psychological damage potential, and therefore, the most fun to watch, is the one between the teenage male figure-skater, and his stay-at-home mom. She really pushes him, and you can tell that she is really starting to wear on him. He hates it when she watches him perform, she can't stand to watch either. You just have to know that things won't end well, especially once he realizes he's gay, I mean, once he realizes this isn't totally healthy.

Another that is fun to watch is the one between the dad- Craig, and his football playing son, Trenton. The classic stereotypes are all there, Craig hasn't fulfilled his own athletic dreams, in fact he comes out and says that he "hasn't accomplished what I've wanted in my life." He has four jobs, commercial actor, pizza delivery man, football referee, and the guy running two adult flag football referees. His son, who's something like 8, plays in a "Gremlin" football league. He also trains to play football the other six days a week. Right now, it looks like Trenton actually is really enthusiastic about it, but the question is obvious, is he enthusiastic because he wants to please his father, or because he actually does love it. I have to say, that frankly, its hard to see if he has the incredible talent, because after all, he's only eight. He scored the only touchdown in the game showed last week, but having played football at an early age, though later than Trenton did, anyone who shows just a smidge of talent can be dominating. Its obvious Craig loves Trenton, but if his son gets burned out on football, as is quite possible, will he be ready to embrace what Trenton wants to do? I don't know.

The other two aren't so stereotypical. One family features an equestrian eventer and her mother, who is in the process of getting a divorce, putting an incredible financial strain on the family. The other family is a Texas cheerleader family, so maybe I lied when I said it wasn't a stereotype.

Ok then. Indeed

Tontiner- fun word from last week's spelling bee. Who doesn't want to be in a tontine?

The TV thing

So I just noticed a couple of really odd things on the television machine. One, am I the only one who gets slightly freaked out by the way way Bambi's mother talks in Bambi? The reason I ask is not because she dies, though, for me, the tragic thing is Bambi's plaintive cry, not hearing the shot, but what freaks me out is the that, unlike all of the other animals, including Bambi, oddly enough, who have an anthropomorphic way of speaking (they talk like people, their mouths are where people's mouths are, and they make human-like mouth movements) Bambi's mother talks like a deer would talk. Her mouth looks like an alien is speaking , and frankly, it creeps me out.

The second thing I noticed, while watching the VH1 program about the worst ever songs (which includes Euphonics favorite Breakfast at Tiffany's at 6) is that Bill Irwin plays the other white guy, with Robin Williams, in the video for Don't Worry be Happy. Bill Irwin is the guy I just saw, well at the very beginning of April, as George in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? opposite Kathleen Turner. Now, in the Playbill it mentioned that Irwin had been trained as a clown, but seriously, a Bobby McFerrin video? When I talked to Starko about seeing the play, he mentioned how great Irwin was (Irwin also did the last play Albee wrote The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?) and how it was sad people didn't realize who he was. I guess some people know, he's the guy who's rent is late, and who's landlord may have to litigate.

Egads.