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.