July 26, 2013 - Colebrook Chronicle
Transcription
Colebrook’s Largest Circulated Weekly Newspaper FREE The Colebrook Chronicle COVERING THE TOWNS OF THE UPPER CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013 603-246-8998 VOL. 14, NO. 2 Last Week’s Storm Toppled Trees Around Region By Marie P. Hughes Those who live on Route 102 in Vermont and in various areas of Groveton last Saturday morning, July 20, was a complete surprise as daylight revealed the wrath of Friday night’s violent thunderstorm. (Continued on page 2) Celina Cass Case Two Years Later Left photo: Brian Batchelder stands next to one of the two trees that toppled behind his son Zack’s house on Rte. 3 in Groveton during high winds last Friday. The tree bottom measured 16 feet high and 22 feet wide. Susie Batchelder photo. Right photo: Vermont State road workers cleanup Rte. 102 between Brunswick and Guildhall. Marie Hughes photo. It was two years ago yesterday that 11-year-old Celina Cass of West Stewartstown was last seen alive by her mother in the apartment where they lived in West Stewartstown. Seven days later, the young girl’s body was found at the bottom of a PSNH dam in the Connecticut River just a quarter mile up the (Continued on page 3) Ten Buses Brought Residents To Concert: Lac-Megantic Citizens Special Guests At Paul McCartney Concert In Quebec By Charles J. Jordan One of the world’s top names in music, former Beatle Paul McCartney, brought his current “Out There” tour to Quebec City earlier this week. The concert took place at the historic Plains of Abraham in Quebec’s capital city and McCartney pulled out all stops by serving up three solid hours from the Beatles and Wings playbooks. The night was made special by the presence of about 900 people from the Quebec town of Lac-Megantic, the community that was devastated recently when a runaway train carrying fuel crashed and exploded in the town’s center. Over 50 lives were lost. In recognition of the difficult times the tragedy has brought to Lac-Megantic, McCartney and the promoters of the show, 3E Event, offered residents of Lac-Megantic free admission to Tuesday’s concert. Nearly a tenth of the town’s population took up the offer and early Tuesday 10 buses left the village for the northern city. At 7:30 p.m. the gates opened and an estimated 45,000 fans poured into the park. The buses from Lac-Megantic arrived about 20 minutes later and were given access to Zone 2 (where tickets normally sold for about $100 each). For about an hour leading up (Continued on page 2) Get ready for a night of high-energy French-Canadian music as Isabeau et les Chercheur d’Or takes to the stage at the Tillotson Center in Colebrook on Monday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. Courtesy photo. Isabeau et les Chercheurs d’Or: French-Canadian Group At Tillotson Center Aug. 5 Quebec’s Country-Folk super group Isabeau et les Chercheurs d’Or (Isabeau and the Golddiggers) will be on its first tour in Maine and New Hampshire in early August, which includes a concert on Aug. 5 at the Til- lotson Center in Colebrook. The Great North Woods Committee for the Arts and New England Celtic Arts will present the group at the Tillotson Center at 7 p.m. that night. (Continued on page 7) Stratford Railroad Bridge Work To Begin July 29 On Friday, July 19, the Walker International Circus was brought to Colebrook through the sponsorship of the Kiwanis Club of Colebrook. The circus was held at the Industrial Park and had two showings that were both packed full. The show even included the camels that children could ride before the shows and during the intermission. See page 14 for more photos. Angela Wheeler photo. By Marie P. Hughes Residents near the Stratford Railroad Bridge over the Connecticut River will know the work is starting on the bridge Monday, July 29 because of the loud noise coming from the vacuuming machine. Tom McKenna, who will be in charge of the project in Stratford said, “The noise will be (Continued on page 7) Page 2 Friday, July 26, 2013 The Colebrook Chronicle Storm (Continued from page 1) Most of the residents had finished the night without electricity so were really not aware of the havoc the storm had wreaked in their neighborhoods. Much of the damage on 102 occurred between Maidstone and Guildhall. According to Liz Gamanche, Coordinator of Vt. Electric Cooperative (VEC), “188 VEC members were without power in those two towns.” Ten broken utility poles were replaced Saturday, but due to the amount of damage, full power restoration in this area was not completed until Sunday. In New Hampshire, PSNH dealt with even more outages, but were also able to begin work as soon as the storm subsided. Television stations, radio programs and other media continually predicted a severe storm, but they had done so in the days before as well. Nothing much happened earlier in the week, but this storm was entirely different. The wind howled, the rain beat hard against windows, the thunder roared, and lightning flashed well before counting to 10 after the thunder claps. The next day, people were asking whether it was a minor tornado or perhaps, there were several micro blasts. One utility worker said, “This kind of damage occurs when the wind comes from an unexpected direction, and the trees can’t withstand the force.” Frank Whitney’s home in Maidstone was surrounded by large trees everywhere; in fact, his home seemed to bear the brunt of the storm’s fury. Practically every tree in his front yard had been uprooted, and the sight was truly awe inspiring as he viewed the damage. Although the trees had fallen every which way, they had somehow managed to escape landing on his well-tended flowers; displaying Mother Nature’s paradox. Tom and Edie Gwinn in Brunswick found their outdoor grill, which is fairly good sized, blown across the yard. The McKenzie family not only lost electricity, but discovered they would not have their telephone service restored until Wednesday, five days later. Since cell phones do not work in most of the areas hard hit, the only way to report the damage for some people was to get into their vehicles and drive to Lancaster where they could use their cell phones. Once there, people were able to call insurance and utility companies, friends, and relatives as well as purchase lots of ice to help keep their food safe. As the week wore on, electricity was restored, phones were once again in use, and life returned to normal. One resident’s only comment was, “Storms seem much wilder than they were 30 years ago.” Somehow that low-key response summed up the can-do attitude of everyone affected by the storm and its aftermath. At the home of Ken Knapp and Sandy Mason in Groveton, huge trees toppled over, damaging a fence, but missed nearby buildings. Right photo: A burned spot on this tree at the Knapp/Mason home shows where it was hit by lightning during the powerful storms last Friday night. Ken Knapp photos. Left photo: Trees fell all everywhere but missed the flowers on Frank Whitney's property in Maidstone, Vt. Right photo: Another tree across Rte. 102 between Guildhall and Brunswick. Road crews were kept busy cleaning up after the storm. Marie Hughes photos. McCartney (Continued from page 1) to the show, two large video screens on either side of the center stage rolled by with a tapestry of McCartney’s life and career from Liverpool to the Sullivan show and ultimately as part of what is unquestionable the most famous quartet in musical history, the Beatles. It also traced McCartney’s post-Beatle era with his band Wings while covers by other musicians of his songs played from the huge speakers. Then finally at 9 p.m. McCartney emerged on stage, looking remarkably youthful given the fact that he is now 71 years old. We were allowed to bring in our still camera and video camera to capture highlights of the show. McCartney served up a vast array of songs he has been associated with through the years, ranging from early Beatle tunes like “All My Loving” to deep dish tracks from the Sgt. Pepper album like “For The Benefit of Mr. Kite.” When he sang “Michelle,” which features French lyrics, the largely Francophone audience gave a audible sound of approval that rang across the plains. “How’s my French?” McCartney asked, repeatedly breaking into halting French to (Continued on page 3) Left photo: Early Tuesday some 10 buses left Lac-Megantic with 900 citizens of the town heading to Quebec City as guests of Paul McCartney and the promoter, 3E Event. In recognition of the tragedy that befell the Quebec community when a train exploded in the town recently, the residents were given free admission to McCartney’s concert. CBC image. Right photo: Video clip filmed by Chronicle Editor Charlie Jordan at the concert (see more in this week’s Video News of the Week). McCartney dedicated “Let It Be” to the people of Lac-Megantic. Left photo: Former Beatle Paul McCartney’s concert in Quebec City on Tuesday was part of his “Out There” tour. Right photo: An estimated crowd of 45,000 were on hand for McCartney’s three-hour concert at the Plains of Abraham in the historic section of Quebec City. Charles Jordan photos. The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, July 26, 2013 McCartney (Continued from page 2) assure the audience that this next song is “pour vous.” About two thirds through the concert, Sir Paul said, “We have some very special guests who’ve come tonight” and he completed the sentence in French announcing that he would like to dedicate the next song to the people of Lac-Megantic. Then the familiar open chords of “Let It Be” filled the air. McCartney’s show had it all, even pyrotechnics during his “Live And Let Die.” A moving tribute to George Harrison began with McCartney on ukulele recalling when he told his former band mate that he had learn e d Harris on ’s t une “Something” on the instrument. A highpoint was near the conclusion when all hands were waving in a massive sway as McCartney led the huge gathering through the second half of “Hey Jude.” This is definitely a man who loves to perform and gave forth what appears to be a sincere warmth toward his audience. He returned for three encores and the music only finally stopped three hours after beginning when a sudden and torrential downpour hit at 12 midnight, just as McCartney was intoning the closing words to “The End” from the Beatles’ “Abby Road Album.” For all who attended the concert, and especially the nearly 1,000 people from Lac-Megantic who made their way back to the awaiting motorcade of school buses to take them home, it was a night to be remembered. (Editor’s note: See more on this in the Video News of the Week at www.colebrookchronicle.com, including McCartney’s moving tribute to the people of Lac-Megantic.) Celina Cass (Continued from page 1) road from the home. Some claim she was weighted down and wrapped in a blanket, but this has never been confirmed by the Attorney General’s office. One thing they have said is for sure, that Celina’s death was a homicide. And now, two years later, it remains unresolved. There are no formal observances planned, However, family and friends have invited others to light a candle tonight in memory of Celina wherever anyone might be. It is a time for a moment of silence to remember the young girl who loved peace signs and the color purple. Since Celina’s murder, frustration has grown throughout the North Country, but especially for Celina’s family: who killed the young girl and why? The Chronicle spoke this week with Assistant Attorney General Jane Young, who assured us that they continue to pursue all investigative leads in the case through the Troop F state police headquarters in Twin Mountain—noting that the investigation is “active” and has not become a cold case. “People continue to contact us and the state police continue to take information; we have regular contact with the detectives working on this case, and we continue to pour over what we have for information,” Young told the Chronicle. “Our goal is to bring the killer or killers to justice but we want to do that with evidence that would be admissible in court.” She added, “It’s fair to say that in some cases there’s always rumors, innuendos, suspicions; but we have to bring into court direct evidence of what somebody saw or heard or touched—not just ‘I think so-and-so did this.’ We have to abide by case law and by the rules of evidence.” Young said that while no arrest has been made since Celina was found, it does not mean no progress is being made with the investigation. “I know the community is frustrated, and the selectmen have sent a letter to the new Attorney General, but, just because you don’t see an arrest doesn’t mean we aren’t doing all that’s possible to make that happen,” she said. In addition, they continue to remain in touch with the family. “The Attorney General’s office has continued to remain in contact with the family, and the victim witness advocate remains in contact with the family as well,” she said. “We are thinking of the family and have not forgotten them and certainly have not forgotten Celina. Every day since she went missing we haven’t forgotten her. We continue to strategize-what is the best way to solve this case.” The state police investigators at Troop F include Detectives Belanger, West and Cote, and Young said they continue to be in the area following up on leads which continue to come into police headquarters. “We focus our energy on what we need—we can’t get hung up on frustration—all of our focus has to be on what we have and how can we prove that and how can we make an arrest,” said Young. “This is not a cold case because we continue to work the case—we can’t give you details because we have to protect the integrity of this case—but we have not turned this over to the cold case unit.” She said they do not feel they are at the juncture where investigators are ready to turn the case over to the cold case unit. Investigators and the Attorney General’s office continue to ask that, if anybody has any information—even a small piece—it might prove critical to being able to make an arrest and conviction in Celina’s murder. “As we have said all along, call Troop F and talk with Sgt. Belanger, Sgt. West or Det. Cote; they are intimately involved with every detail of this case and have been since the initial call came in that Celina was missing,” said Young. (The Troop F phone number is 8463333.) “We will continue to work on this case,” said Young. When we asked if they were ready to give up on making an arrest, she said, “Never.” Page 3 Yesterday at about 7 p.m. half of Monadnock Street in Colebrook reportedly lost power after a portion of a tree fell into the street, cutting off traffic in the process. There were no injuries reported and a utility crew was on route at dusk to cut power from a live line before a highway crew could move in to open the street. Charles Jordan photo. Police, Fire, EMS Reports This week a reward was offered for information concerning the 2011 murder of John Labbee, shown here. Labbee grew up in Colebrook. Courtesy photo. JOHN LABBE MURDER INVESTIGATION ONGOING N.H. Attorney General Joseph A. Foster, N.H. State Police Colonel Robert L. Quinn, and Plymouth Police Chief Stephen Lefebvre announced this week that they are continuing to seek the public’s assistance with any information relating to the death of John Labbe in September of 2011. Labbe’s body was found inside his workshop at 761 Texas Hill Road, in Plymouth on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. His death was ruled a homicide as a result of gunshot wounds. Labbe grew up in the Colebrook area. The N.H. State Police and Plymouth Police Dept. continue to actively investigate Labbe’s death, including following-up on numerous leads and tips. Nonetheless, the public’s help is still needed. Anyone who may have knowledge of any circumstances surrounding John Labbe’s death is urged to contact the N.H. State Police-Major Crime Unit at 223-8826 or 223-3856. In addition, John Labbe’s family held a press conference on Monday, July 22, at 2 p.m. at the Plymouth Police Dept. The gathered to announce their offering of a substantial reward for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the individual or individuals responsible for John Labbe’s death. His sister, Carole Noyes, announced that there was now a $10,000 reward that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case. Labbe and his six brothers and sisters were raised in Colebrook. He was a 1975 graduate of Colebrook Academy. In May 2010, Labbe filed a sex abuse lawsuit against the Catholic diocese alleging that the Rev. George St. Jean sexually abused him during the 1960s when St. Jean was serving at St. Brendan’s Church in the 1960s. Labbe said that Rev. St. Jean sexually assaulted him 100 times. Labbe’s suit was the second one against St. Jean. The first—which is from another Colebrook man—alleges that when he was 11 years St. Jean assaulted him. A third man, from Lowell, Mass., has claimed that he, too, was sexually assaulted by St. Jean. There is no indication one way or another that Labbe’s murder was in any way connected to the lawsuit. Labbe was born in West Stewartstown and at one time worked at the Balsams Hotel in Dixville Notch. He settled in Plymouth after leaving Colebrook and attended Plymouth State College. 45TH PARALLEL EMS The coverage area of the 45th Parallel EMS now includes many miles of ATV trails, and visitors and residents of the area are enjoying this recreational activity. It is recommended that riders use motorcycle or other motorized sports helmets that are certified by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) and/or the Snell Memorial Foundation (Snell). Other important protective equipment to wear while riding an ATV includes: over-the-ankle boots, goggles, gloves, and long pants and long sleeved shirt. We hope everyone rides safety and has an enjoyable experience. The following is the activity report for July 14-20: On July 14, at 6:32 a.m., the department responded to Canaan, Vt., for a medical emer- gency. At 7:33 a.m., the department responded to Colebrook for a medical emergency. On July 15, at 10:41 a.m., the department responded to UCVH for a transfer to Weeks Medical Center. At 6:13 p.m., the department responded to Lemington, Vt., for a medical emergency. On July 16, at 8:22 a.m., the department responded to Colebrook for a motor vehicle collision. At 10:55 a.m., the department responded to Colebrook for a medical emergency. At 4:59 p.m., the department responded to UCVH for a transfer to DHMC. At 9:02 p.m., the department responded to Columbia for a medical emergency. On July 17, at 7:49 a.m., the department responded to Lemington, Vt., for a medical emergency. At 11:10 a.m., the department responded to Columbia for a medical emergency. At 12:45 a.m., the department responded to UCVH for a transfer to Androscoggin Valley Hospital. At 2:26 p.m., the department responded to Androscoggin Valley Hospital for a transfer to UCVH. At 4:18 p.m., the department responded to Beecher Falls, Vt., for fire standby. At 6:56 p.m., the department responded to UCVH for a transfer to DHMC. At 7:27 p.m., the department responded to Pittsburg for a medical emergency. On July 18, at 6:41 a.m., the department responded to Colebrook for a medical emergency. At 6:52 p.m., the department responded to Stewartstown for a lift assist. At 12:16 a.m., the department responded to UCVH for a transfer to DHMC. At 9:45 p.m., the department responded to UCVH for a transfer to DHMC. On July 19, at 4:17 a.m., the department responded to Pittsburg for a medical emergency. At 7:48 a.m., the department responded to Colebrook for a medical emergency. At 5:42 p.m., the department responded to Stewartstown for a medical emergency. At 10:54 p.m., the department responded to Pittsburg for a medical emergency. On July 20, at 4:15 p.m., the department responded to Stewartstown for a medical emergency. Page 4 The Colebrook Chronicle View From The 45th Parallel Friday, July 26, 2013 The Way We Were... Paul McCartney on stage during his opening song on Tuesday in Quebec City. Charles Jordan photo. Paul McCartney And The People Of Lac-Megantic—A Very Special Night My generation grew up with the Beatles and the opportunity to see Paul McCartney when he performed above the border this week was something I just couldn’t pass up. I bought my ticket a few months back and was gearing up this week for the three-and-a-half hour drive north to Quebec City when I heard that McCartney and the promoters of the Quebec event, 3E Event, decided to offer a very poignant sudden gift to the people of Lac-Megantic. Lac-Megantic, as we are sure our readers know by now, is the small community about two hours north of Colebrook which was devastated when a runaway train loaded with fuel crashed into the village in the middle of the night and exploded. The latest count of dead is at about 50. McCartney’s concert, the promoters decided, would be free to any resident of Lac-Megantic who would like to be their guest at the Plains of Abraham concert site. Nearly 1,000 residents took up the offer, arriving on Tuesday in 10 buses. When Paul McCartney said about three-quarters of the way through his concert that he would like to dedicate his next song to some very special guests, and then he pointed to the section where Lac-Megantic’s people were, the audience knew this was a special moment indeed. He then went into the familiar opening piano chords of “Let It Be.” We’ve heard McCartney’s music over the years in all sorts of settings. Many call the Beatles’ music “the soundtrack of our lives.” But this editor will never hear “Let It Be” again without thinking about a special night, under the moonlight, in Quebec City, where 45,000 listened in respectful hush as arguably the greatest living pop performer sang a soothing song to a beleaguered community—and there was hardly a dry eye in the place. Charles J. Jordan The Colebrook Chronicle P.O. Box 263 • Colebrook, NH 03576. Tel. (603) 246-8998 Fax (603) 246-9918 email: editor@colebrookchronicle.com web: www.colebrookchronicle.com Editor: Charles J. Jordan; Publisher: Donna Jordan Reporter/Photographer: Marie P. Hughes Reporter/Photographer: Angela Wheeler Sports Photographer: Tina McKenzie Canadian Correspondent: Corey Bellam Colebrook Office Manager/Video Editor: Thomas Jordan This 1908 postcard shows the railway track as it ran through what it identifies as “Lake Megantia” in Quebec. It is from the collection of reader Guile Ralph Lavers from the Island Brook region of Quebec. He tells us that the railway is in the same spot as today and where the tracks split is where the tragic July 6 crash took place in Lac-Megantic earlier this month. Courtesy Guile Ralph Lavers. Letters Dear Editor, Northern Pass is a disastrous blot on our harmonious life in New Hampshire. This will not only ruin our landscape but also displace a whole trailer park of people in Campton that do not have the resources to relocate. Please help save our state from this catastrophe. Robbin Adams, Campton Mary A. Bohn, Holderness Ralph Reynolds, Plymouth Letter to the Editor, Northern Pass’ new route includes almost eight miles of underground lines, and incorporates property acquired by working with willing landowners. As a North Country resident, this looks like a reasonable compromise. Landowners have every right to work with the project, and it’s a shame that some have been publicly attacked for doing so. It seems to me that Northern Pass did listen to many of the concerns of North Country residents, and went underground through parts of Stewartstown and Clarksville to alleviate some concerns about view impacts. I think most of us realize that to go underground for the entire line would be too expensive, but putting some of the line underground shows good faith. I was also pleased to see the tower height in the White Mountain National Forest, and other places along the route, reduced to a more common height of 85 to 95 feet. And everyone should remember that Northern Pass’ WMNF crossing would go through an existing right-of-way that already has transmission lines through it. This is not virgin, pristine wilderness. In my opinion, the most significant improvement in the recently announced plan is the increased property tax revenue statewide (approximately $28 million/year). It’s my understanding that additional tax revenue for Coos County towns alone will be $8.5 million/year. This amount of money will go a long way towards replacing the tax revenue lost from the mills that formally dotted our landscape. Increased tax revenue from corporations and businesses are important for the towns if we want to keep and maintain our high quality schools and provide other town services. Maintaining our schools and infrastructure as homeowners—without business tax revenue—is not sustainable over the long-term. I also expect that the Northern Pass will provide much needed jobs in the North Country. Some may say these jobs are short-term construction jobs, but a short term job is better than none, and our region has been plagued with a job shortage with since the closing of the mills (over six years ago!). It’s amazing to me how people suddenly discount the value of a construction job when it involves a development they oppose—but welcome construction jobs on developments they support. Those who work in the construction industry make their living off jobs that end when a development is com- plete. Then they move on to another “short term” construction job on another new development. No construction job is permanent—but all are valuable. One should take a minute to realize that PSNH/Northern Pass didn’t just go with the route that best served them. It appears to me that when the North Country talked (sometimes pretty loudly), the utility listened and made compromises to try and meet concerns. I think it would be wise for the towns in Coos to work with PSNH and channel some of the negative into positive so that our county can move forward and stop the steady six to seven years ago. Northern Pass is looking for ways to help improve our North Country through communities that want to take advantage of the opportunity. Let’s at least have an open mind and talk to them— and maybe take them up on their offer. David Atkinson Lancaster Dear Editor, To the people of Stewartstown, New Hampshire, Please Don’t Do It! For the sake of those living south of Franconia Notch who are in the path of the proposed Northern Pass transmission lines, please don’t sell your land to Northern Pass. You have the power to stop this project dead in its tracks and save New Hampshire’s scenic landscape from an incurable scar. (Continued on page 5) The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, July 26, 2013 Letters (Continued from page 4) Please. We need you to stay strong on behalf of your fellow New Hampshire residents. Thank you in advance, Sandra Jones Holderness Letter to the Editor: Where is our town pride? Last week we walked our Governor’s husband, Tom Hassan as well as our State Senators and Representatives, U.S. Senators’ and Congressmen’s Representatives, and citizens down our streets. There is grass from everyone that mows their lawns, dirt from lack of hand sweeping by our Public Works crew as well as piles of rocks around light poles and fire hydrants. Do others notice the filth of our streets? The conditions of many of our sidewalks are deplorable and need repair. The Garden Club and many of the merchants have adored our downtown with beautiful flowers—thank you all for that, it helps to make people look up and not see the filth. Recently I took a list to our elected officials that several had asked me to address. The response was that the solution was for me not to wear sandals when walking on the sidewalks—rather I should wear sneakers! I sent them a bill for sneakers. They also stated that they would give a copy of the complaints to the Director of our Public Works. You would have thought that maybe they had the pride and sense to realize that the Fourth of July was coming with many visitors on our streets, as well as Mr. Hassan visiting our town as well. If the whole Public Works is busy on our 26 miles of gravel roads, the solution should be to hire Vershire, as our Town Manager had suggested. The downtown is a vital part of our economy. To promote tourism here we need clean, safe streets to walk on, it looks like everyone is saying “To heck with it”—if the Town doesn’t care, why should we? Do you feel like I do? Call the Town Office and let them know! Sandra Riendeau Colebrook Letter to the Editor: New Hampshire and Maine have recently been dragged into a fight over a controversial pipeline project half a continent away. Environmental paranoia could mean fewer jobs, higher energy price, and the end of one of New England’s most responsible businesses. Town GROVETON SELECTBOARD One of the main items of business for the Groveton Selectmen at their Monday, July 22 meeting was to publicly thank the police and ambulance personnel as well as the town employees for the excellent way they all handled the Friday evening storm and its aftermath. As in many areas, Groveton suffered many uprooted trees and wind damage, but response to residents’ needs were quickly and efficiently addressed. Chairman Barry Colebank said, “On behalf of the selectmen, I want to commend everyone for the good job that was done on Friday and Saturday. I also want to thank the utility crews for their many hours of work in restoring electricity.” Colebank also said the emergency created during the storm will allow everyone to evaluate how each department operated, and everyone involved will review what went right and what could have worked better. This process will then be put into practice for the next emergency which might occur. Since the town cemetery suffered several downed trees, Terri Charron, Cemetery Trustee, asked the selectmen what to do about the damage. They told her to get estimates for clean-up, but instead, on Wednesday, July 24, the town crew was able to clean up the cemetery, so that issued was resolved. During the meeting, the se- lectmen gave the new cell tower road the official name of “Morse Mountain Summit” which was necessary for 911 emergencies. Also, the selectmen voted to no longer withhold taxes from Vermont employees, thereby making any one who works in New Hampshire, but resides in Vermont responsible for paying Vermont’s income tax. The Board disclosed the architect’s feasibility report about renovating the Paper Board building for town offices which says the project is a viable one, and it should proceed as planned. In the report, the architect did not plan for the second floor because the funds allocated would only be sufficient for the first floor. Even though the estimate came in higher than the budgeted amounts, Mike Phillips said, “We can get it done and make intelligent choices as we do it.” There is more detail work to do, but the estimates are all preliminary, and the Board needs to let USDA know if the work is feasible, and can now say that it is. The Board tabled a request from John Nugent for three signs on the building he is renovating until it looks into matter to see if the signs will meet all the town requirement, and if they do, the selectmen will then sign the permits. The largest sign will read, “Nugent and Sons, Building Supplies, Hardware, and Deli.” All three signs will be lit. —Marie P. Hughes The Portland-Montreal Pipeline runs 236 miles from Portland, Maine, through northern New Hampshire, and up to Montreal. Since 1941, it has carried over 168 billion gallons of various grades of crude oil from tankers docked in Portland to the refineries in Montreal. Portland Pipe Line Corporation has won numerous national awards for worker safety, environmental safety and maritime protection. But after 72 years of delivering energy, jobs, and taxes, the Portland-Montreal Pipeline has been targeted by national environmental groups. What these groups really oppose is Phase 4 of the Keystone Pipeline, known as Keystone XL. The first two phases of Keystone are up and running, and the third will come online later this year. But the final stage, 1,179 miles of pipeline connecting oil fields in Alberta, Montana, and North Dakota to the Gulf Coast refineries, has drawn fierce opposition from environmentalists. Only recently has it become commercially viable to extract crude oil and natural gas from the oil sand formations in Alberta and from shale deposits in Montana and North Dakota. Bringing that oil to market created the North Dakota economic boom, one of the few states to see rapid growth through the (Continued on page 20) Page 5 Page 6 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, July 26, 2013 Education “MRS. M”— GROVETON BOOSTER Bev McFarland, known affectionately to staff and students alike at GHS as “Mrs. M”, was born Beverly Macguire in Stark in 1934. For her elementary school years, she attended a country school in Crystal. She attended Groveton High School starting in 1949. She met her f u t u r e h u s ba n d W i l l a r d McFarland at Groveton High School and they were married in 1955. They had one son, Billy, who grew up and graduated from GHS himself. Mrs. M now has two grandchildren that live in Groveland, Mass.: Andrew, 12, is a sports enthusiast, and Emily, 14, is an accomplished and passionate dancer. Mrs. M has always been an active member of the Groveton community. She was very involved in the Booster Club while Billy was in school. She was also active with the Methodist Church including teaching Sunday school. In addition, from about 1982 until the late ’90s, Mrs. M was instrumental in starting up and supervising the Eagle’s Nest, an arcade/ game room that served as a safe place for the Groveton youth to congregate and socialize. As a result of her many years of volunteer efforts and good citizenship, Mrs. McFarland was once named Citizen of the Year and received a Grange award for Community Service. Mrs. McFarland has been working at Groveton High school for almost 30 years. Besides all of the service she had done through the Booster Club and as a parent of a GHS stu- Bev McFarland, affectionately known as “Mrs. M.” Courtesy photo. dent, she began working as a substitute teacher. For the past few years, Mrs. M mostly worked in the ISS (in school suspension) room. But, in a pinch, Mrs. M would still work as a substitute. Due to budget constraints in March of this year, the ISS position was cut, so Mrs. M’s long run at GHS was cut one year short of the 30 years of service she was planning on serving at GHS. Mrs. M is currently living at the Morrison Nursing Home in Whitefield, where she is recuperating and getting physical therapy after sustaining a knee injury. We, the staff at Groveton High School would like to wish Bev a speedy recovery and also to thank her for all her dedicated years to the school, students and staff. We will miss you. —submitted by Groveton High School STRATFORD SUMMER READING PROGRAM Stratford Public Library will be hosting a summer reading program for pre-school to Grade 8 students during the month of August. This will consist of reading and an activity on the first four Saturdays of August (the 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th). This year’s theme is “Dig into Reading,” and will feature activities based on dinosaurs, caves and more. It will take place at the library located in the Grand Trunk Railroad Station at 10 a.m. and will last about an hour. Prizes will be awarded at the end of August. Please plan to come a little early the first time so that everyone can be registered. For more information, contact Librarian Tracy Kostka at 922-9016. (Continued on page 20) Outdoors FREE INTRODUCTION TO FISHING CLASS AUG. 2 Calling all want-to-be anglers. The N.H. Fish and Game Department’s “Let’s Go Fishing” Program, the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, and the N.H. Division of Parks and Recreation are teaming up to give you the opportunity to find out all you need to know about fishing. This one-day introduction to fishing program will be held on Friday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Umbagog Lake Campground, Route 26 in Cambridge. The class is open to anyone, however, those 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Reserve your spot by contacting the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, at 4823415, ext. 115. The class is free, and registration is first-come, first-served. Space is limited so call now to reserve your spot. All equipment and materials will be provided. You do not need to have a fishing license to participate. The morning will be spent at the campground, learning about equipment, safety, knot tying, fish identification, basic ecology and different casting techniques. In the afternoon we will head out on the boats to put your newly learned skills to the test! New Hampshire Fish and Game’s “Let's Go Fishing” program has taught thousands of children and adults to be safe, ethical and successful anglers. Find out more at http:// www.fishnh.com/Fishing/ lets_go_fishing_class_schedule. htm. The program is federally funded through the Sport Fish Restoration Program. Friday, July 26, 2013 The Colebrook Chronicle At Tuesday’s walkthrough at the Stratford Railroad Bridge meeting discussing the buildup of creosote were John Rega, NH DES; Blake Jones; Manager of Genessee and Wyoming RR; Andre Lapalme, Quebec RR engineer; Tom McKenna, general manager St. Lawrence RR. Marie Hughes photo. before any decisions could be made. The work will not affect the train schedules according to McKenna who said, “We will put the track together every day, and will slow the train speeds down by 10 miles an hour.” One other aspect of the repair work will be testing the soil. There is no definite time for that yet, but that process will also be very noisy. Information about the project will be posted regularly on the DES web site, and also overseen by Michael Nalipinski, EPA Region 1, Federal on-Scene Coordinator. Once the old ties are removed, they will be sent to Rumford, Maine, where they will be burnt at the bio-mass facility. The new railroad ties will secure the bridge deck for 30 to 40 years, and the river underneath the bridge will no longer be contaminated. Isabeau Concert (Continued from page 1) In this photo supplied by Bill Schomburg dated winter 2009, the black creosote residue can be seen falling from the track onto the white snow below. Courtesy photo. Stratford Bridge (Continued from page 1) very loud for the first week of work, but will only be during the daylight hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. After that, we will be removing 20 to 30 ties each day.” Blake Jones, Genesee and Wyoming RR, manager of the project, said, “We were made aware of the creosote problem last April, and although I manage six railroads, I have never encountered this problem before.” John Regan of N.H. Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) told the assembled group, “The work will first begin on the west side of the channel and will take place in stages. According to reports we received the ties were replaced in 2007, and had been over saturated with creosote, but we were not aware of that. They were purchased from a company in West Virginia which is no longer in business. Since the creosote began leaking almost immediately, the ties were then wrapped with a protective material in 2009, but unfortunately that did not stop the seepage of creosote into the river. Bill Schomburg from the Headwaters Committee sent us pictures of the black ice and snow at 14 degrees; we met in April to discuss how to fix the problem, and acted quickly. Therefore, we will begin next week.” Five hundred ties need to be replaced, and they will be done with correctly treated ties at the rate of 20 to 30 a day. Work should be complete by September according to Blake Jones. However, Bill Schomburg said, “My concerns are DES doesn't know if they will issue a fine to St. Lawrence and Atlantic (SLA) for their years of creosote pollution. They don't know if they will seek mitigation for the years of environmental damage. Further, DES and the SLA, could not comment about the possible negative health effects of breathing creosote. Their main answer seemed to be ‘We don't know.’ I feel very strongly that fines should be imposed for the years of air, water, and land pollution, and that mitigation is a must.” In further comments, Schomburg stated, “If there are private water supplies (wells) in the area, the water should be tested to see if creosote has been introduced into wells. Also, SLA RR personnel said the rails are inspected weekly. If this is so, why wasn't the impact of creosote on land, water, air, structures and ice noted? In other words, why did the RR company allow this when weekly inspections would have shown the pollution as ongoing?” Locals told Schomburg of seeing discolored birds, fouled by creosote. One person mentioned a woodpecker with an oily black sheen. People living near the tracks noted their throats were sore with the smell, and they had to go inside and close their windows most days. However, no one at the meeting was ready to comment on those issues, and further study would need to be done Isabeau and the Gold Diggers take their music from the source of the mountain roots music, song and folk of Quebec. On record and on stage, the quintet keeps the aura of truth that sticks so well to the genre. Loosely based on the folk tradition, Isabeau and the Gold Diggers offer its own adventure with Country Music. It reveals a personal universe background of romance, travel and everyday life. Carried by the vocal harmonies, mandolin or violin, the band’s music is timeless. It has to move, stomp and dance. It easily goes from pleasure to tears listening to these songs sewn by hand, carried by the frank and nuanced voice of Isabel Valois. Think Old Timey music with a Quebecois/ Acadian/Cajun twist. The band is being featured in a TV Ontario (TVO) documentary about an artist’s life on the road and the behind the scenes look at touring internationally. A four-member film crew will be filming during the concerts in Colebrook and in Maine, including at the Tillotson Center. The Tillotson Center is on Rte. 26, next to the Colebrook Post Office. Tickets for the concert are $15 and can be purchased in advance at Fiddleheads on Main Street in Colebrook and at the door the night of the concert. For more information on this and other upcoming GNWCA concerts, call 237-9302 or 246-8998, as well as visit the arts organization’s website at www.gnwca.org. And don’t forget that this coming Monday is the great Newfoundland sound of the Ennis Sisters, who will also be playing at the Tillotson Center under the auspices of the GNWCA. Other upcoming shows include the Charlie A’Court blues band on Aug. 25, Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser accompanied by cellist Natalie Haas on Sept. 17 and the return of the Ottawa Valley’s own April Verch on Sept. 23. All shows these shows are scheduled for the Tillotson Center in Colebrook (www.tillotsoncenter.org.) Page 7 Page 8 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, July 26, 2013 Community News ENNIS AT TILLOTSON CENTER ON MONDAY Just a reminder that a night of sweet vocals and songs of the sea are in store for those who come to next Monday’s concert by the group Ennis at the Tillotson Center. Roots/traditional music, folk and songs of the sea will define a concert featuring the Ennis sisters, Karen and Maureen, from Newfoundland, Canada, who will perform at Center beginning at 7 p.m. The concert is hosted by the Great North Woods Committee for the Arts. The songs of Ennis tell stories of life in the Maritimes and its people. The lyrics by Maureen Ennis from the song “John William” speak of the lineage into which she and her sister, Karen, were born in Newfoundland. The sisters have released six CDs as the Ennis Sisters and now simply Ennis and are poised to release its follow-up to the award-winning album, “Lessons Learned.” “Music has always been such a big part of our lives,” said Maureen. “As long as we’re able to maintain the passion that we have for playing live, we’ll continue to produce the kind of music that people expect from us at our shows.” Tickets for the concert by the Ennis sisters are $15 and now on sale at Fiddleheads, 110 Main St. in Colebrook and at the door on the night of the concert. For more on this and other GNWCA concerts, visit www.gnwca.org or call 237-9302 or 246-8998. CRAG SUMMER ART CLASSES The Connecticut River Artisan Group (CRAG) is making a concerted effort to reach out to the youth in the North Country who are interested in the visual arts. We are conducting a summer art class for young people from 2-5 p.m. at the Tillotson Center starting Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, and ending Friday, Aug. 23, 2013. Students will have an opportunity to exhibit their works of art at the CRAG exhibit during the Moose Festival. They will also participate in the Old Home Day art show in Pittsburg and visit the CRAG gallery at Fiddleheads. The class size is limited so please register ASAP by contacting Nicole Jeralds at 5389934 or njeralds@nhia.edu. MOHAWK GRANGE On July 15, five brothers, eight sisters and a guest met for their monthly meeting. Ann Woodard read the minutes of the previous meeting. The charter was draped in memory of Bradford Brooks. Lynda Gaudette said the next American Red Cross Blood Bank will be Aug. 19. The Grangers applauded MaryAnn Neary for the July 4th float in memory of Brad Brooks. The electric water heater has been installed and the emergency light has been replaced. The Grange has been invited to Aurora Grange’s picnic on Aug. 7 at the home of Eddie and Chip Evart’s at 6 p.m. Bring a chair, a salad or dessert to share and your meat you want grilled. A thank you card from Eric Hand and Scott Neary was read by Ann Woodard. Dean Woodard Neary was installed as the Treasurer for the rest of the year. MaryAnn Neary tested the Granger’s memories with a game pertaining to a certain grade, who was your teacher and what did you have for lunch? For example cold, hot, home or P.B. and J. Russell and Ann serve a delicious lunch topped off with ice cream sundaes. The next meeting is August 5. MaryAnn and Dean are the lunch committee. The program is Women’s Activities. GROVETON REC CARNIVAL AND LUAU The fun gets under way Aug. 14 at the Groveton pool with a free carnival that begins at 1 p.m. and will feature a dunk tank, a bouncy house, various games, snow cones, cotton candy and more. The WoW Express will be on site and will be showing off their “Watershed on Wheels,” giving parents and children an opportunity to experience and learn about the Connecticut River watershed in a fun and exciting way. Soon after the action from the carnival ends, the Luau Pool Party begins. Come enjoy one of the last days of the summer heat with good friends, great food and summer tunes. The admission cost for adults is $5, $3 for children 4-12, and children three and under are free. Admission includes a day pass for the pool, a full meal with your choice of a burger or hot dog, and a chance to build your own sundae at our dessert table. The carnival will be held from 1-4:30 p.m. and will be followed by the Luau pool party from 5-9 p.m. COOS COUNTY NURSING HOSPITAL With the warm temperatures and everyone winding down from a busy day at the family picnic on Sunday, residents took time to rest with quiet morning visits. But by Monday afternoon a large group of residents gathered for a friendly competition of ladder ball. On Tuesday residents made placemats with a fish theme in preparation of their upcoming monthly themed birthday bash. Wednesday, Washington, D.C. was the topic of discussion. Residents looked at pictures and talked about the sights/ memorials in Washington they have visited or would like to visit. There was a three way tie for black-out at Bingo this week. Alice Covill, Eva Stevens and Ellen Jordan split the winnings. SCU residents had band practice, watched an Elvis movie, made soda bottle bells and Sisters Karen and Maureen Ennis from Newfoundland will perform at Tillotson Center in Colebrook beginning at 7 p.m. The concert is hosted by the Great North Woods Committee for the Arts. Tickets are $15 and now on sale. Courtesy photo. cooled off with snow cones this week. They finished their week by having a picnic lunch on Friday. Everyone enjoyed a watermelon social on the patio on Saturday. NORTHUMBERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY Mark your calendar for Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, at 3 p.m. to come and see “Animal Excavators” at the Northumberland Town Hall meeting room at 10 Station Square in Groveton. The Northumberland Public Library’s Summer Reading Program has invited the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center to put on a program about the world beneath our feet as the finale. This program will feature live animals, engaging visuals, and hands-on materials to help you learn the variety of ways that digging below the surface has it’s advantages for life underground. It will run for approximately 45 minutes. Call the Northumberland Public Library at 636-2066 if you have any questions. CANAAN SENIORS NEWS After dinner on Wednesday the Canaan Seniors enjoyed Bingo. The winners were Celine Chaloux, Glenn Perry, Georgette St. Pierre, Louisette Thibeault, with Yvonne Burrill winning the Blackout game. The 50/50 winners were Germaine Turgeon and Theresa Merrill. Winning free meals were Francoise Bohan and Theresa Merrill. Next week (July 31) will be the monthly penny sale and birthday celebration with soup, assorted sandwiches, pickles and chips, birthday cake and ice -cream for dessert on the menu. For reservations, call Dencie Cunningham at (802) 266-8206, on or before 10 a.m. on Tuesday. PERMITS OK’d FOR ATVS ON COOS STATE HWYS. In an effort to enable ATV riders to reach fuel, lodging and restaurants in Coos County, Governor Hassan and the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails announced the approval of permits allowing off-road vehicles to travel on state highways. “Allowing off-road vehicles to travel on state highways will help make New Hampshire’s unparalleled ATV-riding experiences an even greater success,” Governor Hassan said. “This will make more trails accessible to riders, helping drive business to shops, restaurants and other properties in Coos County and (Continued on page 9) Norma and Donald Gray’s Victorian style home in Canaan was the scene of a “Victorian Gathering” on July 21, 2013. People got together to enjoy music, food, socializing and an art exhibit by Amy Kindler. Amy is an artist from Rochester who shared her paintings with the group. Courtesy photo. Friday, July 26, 2013 The Colebrook Chronicle Community News Last Saturday morning approximately 20 volunteers gathered at the Rec Park in Canaan for an organized volunteer day. Many new exciting things are happening at the Rec Park, including a new shuffleboard, more electrical outlets, new playground equipment aimed at smaller kids and a new swing set by the gazebo. Pictured are Diana Rancourt, Noreen Labrecque, Renee Marchesseault, Skyler Brown and Averill Herr working on the new shuffleboard. Angela Wheeler photo. (Continued from page 8) strengthening our travel and tourism economy.” In preparation for the Jericho ATV Festival, which runs July 26 and 27 at Jericho Mountain State Park in Berlin, crews from the Bureau of Trails will install temporary signs along US Route 2 and state Route 16 in Gorham, as well as along Bridge Street in Colebrook and Main Street in Stewartstown. The Gorham sections of highway will make riding available from Jericho Mountain State Park and the Ride the Wilds’ Coos Loop directly to motels and restaurants in Gorham and allow local residents direct trail access from certain town roads. “This will enable riders to come off the trails and into these communities, where they can fill up with gas, get something to eat or spend the night,” said Christopher Gamache, chief of the Bureau of Trails. He said he expects the signs to be installed by Thursday. The Dept. of Transportation will install permanent signs next month. Off-road vehicles will have to ride in the travel lane, with traffic, and operate at posted highway speeds, Gamache said. “Riding on the highway is going to be a new experience for OHRV users and riders, and motorists need to be aware of one another,” Gamache said. “This is a tremendous step forward to connecting existing trail -riding opportunities in Coos County, but we want to make sure that the existing motorists and the OHRV riders coexist safely on the roads, so paying attention to signs will be extremely important.” Cooperation between local businesses, OHRV clubs, local communities and state and federal agencies “have worked very well together this year to make these improvements to turn Coos County into an OHRV des- tination.” The Trails Bureau website, as well as municipal websites and OHRV sites, will be updated with the road routes and conditions for use early next week. For more information, call 271-3254 or visit www.nhtrails.org. BACKCOUNTRY RETREAT FOR WOMEN SEPT. 27-29 Vermont Outdoors Woman is sponsoring a weekend retreat for adventurous women 18 years and older in Canaan, Vt., Sept. 27-29, 2013. Participants will be staying at Jackson's Lodge and Log Cabins, a 54-year family tradition providing heated lakefront cabins on beautiful Lake Wallace. Jackson’s Cafe is a local favorite for homemade breakfast and baked goods (including gluten free). Proprietor Gloria Jackson is pulling out all the stops to make this the best Fall (Continued on page 10) A large group of talented and enthusiastic participants recently started out their morning on the right foot (pun intended) with good music and dancing at the Community Hall in Pittsburg. They also did some Tae Kwon Do with Renald Mathieu of Mathieu’s Martial Arts studio. The Pittsburg summer recreation program has been a fun summer program for the kids. Credit goes to Wanda Merrill and Nicole Jeralds for their dedication to the community. Courtesy photo. Page 9 Page 10 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, July 26, 2013 Community News (Continued from page 9) Doe Camp ever. Don’t miss the moose barbeque on Saturday evening. www.jacksonslodgevt.net With over 35 different classes taught by our passionate and experienced instructors, campers choose from a list of popular classes that include: Mountain Biking, Firearms (Muzzleloader, Handgun, Rifle and Shotgun) Marksmanship and Safety, Fly Fishing, Wild Edibles, Archery, Kayaking, Birding, Wilderness Survival, Nature and Personal Self Defense. New this year are Self Defense, Pickling and Making Wild Game Meat Pies, Hunter Ed, Turkey Hunting and Calling, Panning for Gold, Maple Sugaring, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Introduction to Primitive Biathlon, Identification and Healing Capacity of Trees and a nine-hour Handgun Personal Defense Course. Between classes there will be ample free time to explore or just relax on the sandy beach and the evening campfire is always popular. Early morning classes Winners of the Great North Woods Riders ATV Obstacle Challenge held last weekend in Pittsburg: from the left, Bob Crunkshank, Steve Aiken, Todd Borders, Tim Barstow, David Newman, Cody Phillipan, Aaron Lord, Brad Noyes and Sandra Perech. Courtesy photo. include yoga and birding. Don’t miss the opportunity to receive affordable outdoor education in a stress-free, supportive environment. Cost for the weekend program is $349. Discounts are available for daily drive ins, camping, mother/ daughter teams and girlfriend (Continued on page 12) Friday, July 26, 2013 The Colebrook Chronicle Page 11 Page 12 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, July 26, 2013 Community News (Continued from page 10) groups of three or more. Sponsored in part by Jackson’s Lodge, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, Vermont Outdoor Guide Association and Waitsfield Telecom. Organizers are also accepting new sponsors. For more information, visit www.voga.org/fall_doe_camp.htm. FOOD PRESERVATION WORKSHOPS AUG. 6 There will be a Food Preservation Workshops on Aug. 6 in Berlin. Tomatoes have taken over flower gardens, beans are sprouting next to the bee balm and more lawns and backyards are now filled with vegetables. Even small gardens can produce an overabundance of vege- tables at the peak of their harvest season. Preserving the overflow can help you store high -quality food for later use. Do you know what to do? Canning, freezing and drying are the main methods of preserving homegrown, or locally grown, food. The method(s) you choose depend on whether you can find safe preservation guidelines for the foods you want to preserve, whether you have the equipment and space needed to process and store your garden crops, how much it will cost, and whether you and your family like the preserved products. Whether you are preserving food for the first time or have many years of experience, it is important to make sure you are using current, research-based methods and recipes. Join UNH Cooperative Extension this summer at one of the following home food preservation workshops: at WREN, 921 Main St., Berlin, NH. Aug. 6, either in the morning 9- 11, or early evening 6-8 p.m. Ann Hamilton, Extension (Continued on page 13) Friday, July 26, 2013 The Colebrook Chronicle Page 13 Community News (Continued from page 12) Field Specialist, will cover the latest research-based methods and recipes, answer questions, and share experiences about these topics: an overview of preserving food safely at home, jams, jellies, pickles, canning fruits and vegetables, freezing, and drying food. Pre-registration is required: Contact Betty Lou Canty at 447 -3834, 1-800-322-4166 or email her at BettyLou.Canty@unh.edu. Registration fee: $5 per person; pay at the door. CLOTHING AND BACKPACK GIVEAWAY On Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Coos County Partners in Health Family Council will be hosting its seventh annual Clothing and Backpack Giveaway. This free event will be held at the Lancaster Town Hall and Roxanne Herres’ photos are currently on display at the Tillotson Center in Colebrook. Courtesy photo. Left photo: Paula Olsen was on hand selling T-shirts in Pittsburg last Saturday at the Second Annual Great North Woods Riders ATV Club's Pittsburg Off-Road ATV Obstacle Challenge on Back Lake Road. Right photo: This year's obstacle course drew in about 20 contestants who had to navigate their ATVs over rocks, logs, tires and through the mud to try and score the best time. Pictured is Paul Lang, who was competing in the 601 cc and up division and completed the course in just two minutes and 37 seconds. Angela Wheeler photos. is offered to residents of Coos County and surrounding areas. You can expect to find free infants, children’s, women’s, and men’s clothing as well as house wares, books and more. This event will also provide backpacks with school supplies to the first 500 children who attend the event in person and express a need. Donations may be dropped off at the Town Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 21 and Thursday, Aug. 22, from 12 noon-6 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Coos County Partners in Health Family Council, Child and Family Services, Baby Threads of Laconia NH, Community Members, Passumpsic Savings Bank and Citizen’s Bank “Gear for Grades”. For more information, contact Joyce Bernier the Partners in Health Family Support Coordinator, at 788-4172 or via email at bernierj@cfsnh.org. READ THE CHRONICLE Page 14 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, July 26, 2013 North Country Photo Album Kiwanis Club Of Colebrook Brings Circus To Town Photos by Angela Wheeler Both showings of the Walker International Circus held in Colebrook last Friday were packed full, a little stormy weather didn't stop all the action. Left photo: At just 20 years old this young man really knows how to put on a balancing act. Right photo: Catia Meluzzi wowed the masses with her breathtaking aerial acts. Ushering in people at the entrance of the circus were these Kiwanian clowns: Joe Anderson, Clay Hinds, John Falconer, Donald Dickson and Jim Reynolds. Arlyn Dorman got a chance to ride one of the camels during the show's intermission. This talented duo really brought juggling to new heights last Friday during the circus show held at the Industrial Park in Colebrook. Friday, July 26, 2013 The Colebrook Chronicle Around The Region “LES MISERABLES” OPENS AT WEATHERVANE The massive and popular musical “Les Miserables” swept onto the Weathervane Mainstage on July 23. The popularity of this incredibly well-crafted musical retelling of the Victor Hugo novel was evident from its first arrival on Broadway in 1987. Since then, “Les Mis” has been seen by seen by more than 65 million people in 42 countries and in 22 languages around the globe. A major film version swept multiple awards and introduced the completely sungthrough production to a wider audience than ever before. Now North Country audiences can experience the thrill of the live stage version as the Whitefield theater offers multiple performances now through August in their signature alternating repertory schedule. The Weathervane adds some local performers to their resident professional Company: area residents Grant Fuller, Sadie Kennett, Silas Southworth and Gia Spiotti are among the cast. Tickets are available now for the entire run, with senior/junior discounts available on Mondays and an August Saturday matinee, call 837-9322 for information and to purchase tickets. SOLAS AT THE COLONIAL TONIGHT The Colonial Theatre in Bethlehem will present the Celtic band Solas Friday, July 26. Solas is the quintessential Irish-American band recording and touring in the US today and has been called “Irish America’s most influential band,” NPR’s Thistle and Shamrock. Fifteen years ago, in a manner befitting their name (Gaelic for “light”), Solas burst onto the Irish music scene and instantly became a beacon–an incandescent ensemble that found contemporary relevance in timeless traditions without ever stooping to clichés. “Les Miserables” opened at the Weathervane this week, with performances through August. Actors Claire Neumann, Andrew Foote, Schuyler Conaway, Robert H. Fowler, Tanesha Ross and Liz Shivener are among the cast. Courtesy photo. Anchored by founding members Seamus Egan (flute, tenor banjo, mandolin, whistles, guitars, bodhran) and Winifred Horan (violins, vocals), Solas is rounded out by Mick McAuley (accordions, low whistle, concertina, vocals), Eamon McElholm (guitars, keyboards, vocals), and newest member and lead singer, Niamh Varian-Barry. Through fresh and unexpected arrangements of age-old tunes, compelling and topical originals and covers, and unparalleled musicianship, Solas continues to define the path for the Celtic music world and drive the genre forward. With 10 albums under their belt, Solas’ band leader Seamus Egan was inspired by his family history to create Shamrock City –their most ambitious project to date. Shamrock City tells the story of Butte, MT, a mining town at the turn of the 20th Century, as seen through the eyes of an Irish immigrant and Seamus' great-great uncle, Michael Conway. In 1910 he sailed from Cobh, Co. Cork in Ireland to Philadelphia and then made his way to Butte to work in the copper mines. Six years later, at the young age of 25, he was dead from a blow to the head. With audio recorded in Philadelphia and film footage in Butte, Shamrock City seeks to not only uncover the life and young death of Conway, but to also illuminate life as an immigrant during the Industrial Revolution. It's no secret that Solas is often drawn to musical social commentary—”Pastures of Plenty” and “The Wind That Shakes The Barley” are core to their repertoire, and they've covered political songs by Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits and Josh Ritter. The themes in and around Shamrock City, particu(Continued on page 16) The top Celtic group Solas takes to the stage at the Colonel Theatre in Bethlehem tonight. Courtesy photo. Page 15 Page 16 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, July 26, 2013 Around The Region such as Mozart, Strauss and Schumann. The NCCP will be holding concerts in the area until Aug. 18, and for a full schedule go to www.northcountrychamberplay ers.com. The group will also be holding a Gala Benefit Auction and Dinner a la Provence on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, at the Elks Lodge on 302 in Littleton. This auction is the annual fundraiser and auction items can be found on the website. —Marie P. Hughes Following the tragic train accident in Lac-Megantic, Que., the Ottawa government has passed new regulations banning one-man crews on trains, parking trains on main lines will no longer be allowed, and many other new safety rules on railway travel involving dangerous goods. There are now 47 confirmed dead from the accident, with 29 identified. It is estimated that 5.7 million liters of crude oil spilled into land and water in Lac-Megantic. Some 200 people went into the Red Zone to their houses this week accompanied by police. The Town of Lac-Megantic sent a legal notice to the head of Montreal-Maine and Atlantic Railroad demanding a payment of $4.1 million to cover the costs of clean up that have so far taken place. Corey Bellam photo. (Continued from page 15) larly the stories and lives of immigrants, are reflected prominently in current headlines. With the Shamrock City project and current tour, Solas seeks to reach beyond the music by creating opportunities for fans to share their family histories at tour stops and online. In the process, the project aims to create a more meaningful and open dialogue about many of the issues we face in today's America. For anyone who associates Irish music solely with pubs, green beer and March, be prepared to have your mind firmly changed. General admission tickets for the are $23. The doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. performance with refreshments on the patio. For more information about this or upcoming live events find The Colonial on Facebook (Facebook.com/ BethlehemColonial), follow The Colonial on twitter (@ColonialNH) or visit the Colonial online at www.BethlehemColonial.org. NORTH COUNTRY CHAMBER PLAYERS For the past 35 years, the North Country Chamber Players (NCCP) have been an active part of classical music in the North Country. The group is composed of world-class musicians from New York City, California, and Boston, and originated at the Waumbek in Jefferson. Once the hotel was razed, and the sculpture workshops were no longer held on the grounds at the Waumbek, the musicians looked for alternative venues, and for a while went from one place to another, until Sherman Adams, built his ski area in Lincoln, and they found a permanent home in Sugar Hill at the Town Hall. After that, they performed quite regularly at those two places, Sugar Hill on Friday evenings, and Loon Mountain Resort on Saturdays. The musicians have always been advocates of bringing music into the schools, and as such, they have played in almost all of the North Country schools during the school year. In the past few years, they have kept Sugar Hill as a Saturday night performance site, but have very often rotated their second weekend performances which are now on Sunday afternoons. On July 21, they performed at the Mountain View Grand to a large crowd. This year the theme of their programs is “Bach in Bloom,” and although Johann Sebastian Bach will be featured at every concert, other composers are well-represented Left photo: Susan Palma-Nidel of Orpheus plays a Bach Sonata for flute with the North Country Chamber Players at the concert in the Mountain View Grand Hotel. Right photo: Don Palma on double bass and Chris Finkel on cello entertain the audience with a modern piece by Alfred Schnittke at the North Country Chamber Players Concert on Sunday. Marie Hughes photos. AREA CHURCHES DONATE TO LAC-MEGANTIC Last Thursday, a group representing the area churches including Bishopton, Cookshire, Sawyerville, East Angus, Bulwer, Birchton, Island Brook, East Clifton, Bury, Scotstown, Gould and LaPatrie made a trip up to Megantic to present money that they had raised to help the people of Lac Megantic through this tough and tragic time. The churches raised a grand total of $5,217 in total to be presented to the Canadian Red Cross. Upon entering the building they were greeted by Carl Boisvert, Communications Rep. for the Media for the Red Cross. He welcomed Janice Hartwell, Richard Goodhue, Doug Brown, Myrna MacAulay, Ben Hodge, Theda Lowry, Donald Parsons and Bob Halsall. This group represented all of the area churches. Boisvert gladly accepted the money and told them it would be put to good use to help many. The Chronicle spoke to Carl Boisvert and we were told that to date the Canadian Red Cross had raised $5.6 million to help and donations are still pouring in. He told us that money is still needed and will be for a long time yet. This hard-working g r o u p f r o m t h e churches certainly went beyond the call of duty to help. –Corey Bellam 38TH ANNUAL PROVINCIAL RALLY This past weekend the sound of mooing cows and clucking chickens filled the air at the Cookshire Fairgrounds. It was the 38th Annual Quebec 4-H Provincial Rally. Every year it is held at a different location, this year being Cookshire's turn. The weekend all started Thursday with the arrival of the animals and registration. At 7:30 p.m. the grand opening ceremonies took place with over one hundred 4-H members in attendance. Friday morning was the public speaking competitions, rope and halter making competition, and at 6:30 it was time to get dressed up and strut in the costume class. In this, the animals were dressed up along with the children. They competed for prizes. The results this year in the costume class were: 1st, Howick 4-H; 2nd, Ormstown 4-H; 3rd, Hatley 4-H; 4th, Sawyerville 4(Continued on page 17) Friday, July 26, 2013 The Colebrook Chronicle Page 17 Around The Region From the left, Janice Hartwell, Richard Goodhue, Doug Brown, Myrna MacAulay, Ben Hodge, Carl Boisvert (Red Cross Media Rep), Theda Lowry, Donald Parsons and Bob Halsall represented area churches in Quebec that raised over $5,000 for the Canadian Red Cross for the families of LacMegantic. Corey Bellam photo. (Continued from page 16) H; 5th, Huntington 4-H; 6th, Brome 4-H; 7th, Lachute 4-H; 8th, Richmond 4-H. Saturday was the big day of competition for all. Events started at 8 a.m. with conformation and showmanship classes for chickens, sheep, goats, rabbits, horses, beef calves and dairy calves. The members all paraded around showing their skills to all and hoping to catch the eye of the judge for ribbons and trophies. This lasted all day under the tent and in the show ring. The weekend all wrapped up at around 7 p.m. with a huge banquet that everyone enjoyed very much. This weekend of competition and pure family fun brought over a hundred youths together and by the smiles and laughter they had a good time. A brief history of the rally: In 1976 the Richmond 4-H club decided to extend an invitation to all Quebec Young Farmers members to attend an event in Lyla McCutcheon, age 7, with her Silky Bantam Rooster at the 38th annual Quebec 4-H Provincial Rally held at the Cookshire Fairgrounds in Quebec. Corey Bellam photo. doing this they brought everyone together at the Richmond Fairgrounds and called it Calf Rally. It has only grown bigger each year and it is called “The Quebec 4-H Provincial Rally.” The Chronicle got the chance Two young winners, Mason Kirby, second place, at left, and Hannah Dougherty, first place, middle, along with Judge Susan Mastine at the 4H event held in Cookshire. Corey Bellam photo. to speak with Alyssa Fourneaux, Public Relations, and she explained how the clubs work and assisted in anyway she could to make our visit an enjoyable one. –Corey Bellam John the Painter Interior/Exterior FREE ESTIMATES The Sawyerville 4-H Costume class, from the left, Mathew Villeneuve, Jordan McNab, Jake Rothney, Michael Villeneuve, Cedric Taylor, Megan Rivett, Jason Whalen, Jessica Everett, Emma McLeod, Megan McConnell, Adreanne Whalen and Cheyanne McNab at the Provincial Rally. Corey Bellam photo. Call: John Lanctot (802) 266-8611 FULLY INSURED Page 18 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, July 26, 2013 Obituaries Paul F. Allen PAUL F. ALLEN COLEBROOK—Paul F. Allen, 79, of Colebrook, passed away late Friday evening, July 19, 2013, at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, after a long period of declining health. He was born on Dec. 23, 1933, in Colchester, Vt., the only child of the late Homer and Madeline (McFarland) Allen of Groveton. He graduated from Groveton High School in 1952 as President of his class. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Keene Teachers’ College (Keene State). While there, he was manager of the basketball and baseball teams, and served two years as sports editor of the college newspaper. He received his Master’s degree in education leadership and administration from the University of Massachusetts in 1972 and his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in education administration from the University of Maine in 1985. He also did graduate work in mathematics at the University of New Hampshire. He taught mathematics at Pittsfield High School from 1956-58, and was athletic director, varsity baseball coach, and junior varsity basketball coach. He served as the town playground director for the summer of 1958. Paul joined and served with honor in the U.S. Army in 1958 and served until 1961, spending 28 months in Germany as a nuclear weapons maintenance specialist. From November 1961 to June 1962, he served as a math teacher at Bristol Memorial High School in Bristol, where he was also the girls’ varsity basketball coach. In 1962, he became a member of the original faculty at Monadnock Regional High School as a mathematics teacher. He served as head of the math department from 1964 -67. During that time, he served one year as President of the N.H. Association of Teachers of Mathematics in New England. In 1967, he was named Math Dept. Chairman of the new Quabbin Regional High School in Barre, Mass. After serving in that capacity for three years, he was appointed as Associate Principal, staying on for 11 more years, until 1981. He chaperoned numerous music trips that Quabbin students took throughout the eastern USA. From 1981-86, he was Principal of Calais High School in Calais, Maine. He attended the Maine Principals’ Academy and served on the state association curriculum committee. He returned to the North Country of New Hampshire, serving as Superintendent of Schools for SAU 7 from 1986– 99. During that time, he was President of the North Country School Administration and the North Country Education Foundation. He also was the New Hampshire representative for the Tri-State Superintendents’ Conference. He served one year on the Professional Standards Board, resigning due to illness. Prior to coming to Colebrook, he participated in several candlepin bowling leagues. He anchored the team which won the Keene City championship while in college, and while he was in Calais, he bowled a three-string total of 400. He was a former lector at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church, and he was on the Parish Council. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, and UCVH Assembly of Overseers, and in 2000 was a consultant for N.H. Easter Seals. He also supervised student teachers for Plymouth State University. He served five years as President of the Groveton High School Alumni Association. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Patricia (née Doody), and their three daughters and their spouses: Kathleen M. and Kevin Woodworth of Clinton, Md.; Barbara J. and Victor Beauchemin of Hudson, and Susan M. and Jason Davis of Colebrook; and four grandchildren: Samantha Beauchemin (15), Lily Davis (9), Abigail Beauchemin (8) and Lindsay Davis (4). There are no public calling hours. A memorial Mass at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church, and committal service with military honors, will be held at a future date that has yet to be determined. Expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to the the Paul F. Allen Memorial Scholarship fund, c/o Rosemary Mulliken at the First Colebrook Bank, 132 Main St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family online by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins and Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook. band died at age 80 in 1997. She is survived by her son, Ralph Leclere and his wife, Pat; five grandchildren, Warren Leclere and his wife Carla, Elizabeth Goguen and her husband Shaun, Janice Caron and her husband Robert, Kristen Walker and her husband Brian, and Christopher LeClere; also her dear son-in-law John Drummond, whom she loved. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Nicolas and Justine LeClere, Hannah and John (“Jack”) Goguen, Andrew and Emily Walker. Memorial donations may be made to St. Francis Xavier Church in Groveton, NH 03582 A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Aug. 8, 2013, at 12 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 11 State St., Groveton. Burial immediately following at Groveton cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Edgar J. Racicot Funeral Home, Inc., www.racicotfuneralhome.com. Reverend John Chase Gregory Elizabeth M. Calkins LeClere ELIZABETH M. CALKINS LECLERE GROVETON—Elizabeth M. (Calkins) LeClere of Groveton, died on June 21, 2013, at age 90. Born on Nov. 5, 1922, in Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of Ralph Calkins and Christina (Dowd) Calkins. At age seven she moved to Groveton, where she grew up, graduating from Groveton High School, Class of 1941. In 1942, she married Arthur G. LeClere and lived a wonderful life with him for 55 years. They had two children, Ralph and Christine. She worked in Mill Lebron's Men store and Polly’s Dress Shop. She loved to dance, read, snow machine and party with all her wonderful friends. She had many, many friends and loved them all. She belonged to the American Legion and was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church. Her daughter, Christine, died at age 50 in 1996 and her hus- REVEREND JOHN CHASE GREGORY WHITEFIELD—Reverend John Chase Gregory, 87, passed away on Monday July 22, 2013, at his home with his family by his side. He was born on April 17, 1926, in Johnsonburgh, Pa., a son to the late J. Howell and Esther Anne (Wessman) Gregory. Reverend Gregory grew up in Wheaton, Ill. He attended the University of Illinois graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree, University of Cincinnati with a Masters in Chemistry and the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Mass. Reverend Gregory worked for Andrew Jergen’s Co. developing new cosmetics. He also worked at WMRHS as a chemistry teacher, Littleton Regional High School as a math and chemistry teacher; he was also an Analytical Chemist and eventually an Executive Vice President for the PJ Noyes Company. Reverend Gregory was the pastor of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and St. Mark’s Parish from 1959 until (Continued on page 19) Friday, July 26, 2013 The Colebrook Chronicle Page 19 Obituaries (Continued from page 18) 1969, a long-time Chaplin at Weeks Memorial Hospital, as well as having a ministry in many New Hampshire and Vermont neighboring towns. Reverend Gregory is also a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force. Reverend Gregory enjoyed studying the Bible in many languages, music, chemistry and math, as well as learning Hebrew and many other languages. He also enjoyed flying and was the Chaplin for the Civil Air Patrol. He was predeceased by his first wife, Pat (MacDonald) Gregory; two brothers, William and George Gregory; and a son, Craig Hersom. He is survived by his wife, Clara (Ball) Gregory of Whitefield; three sons, Rev. John Gregory-Davis of Meriden, James Gregory of East Burke, Vt., Nathan Hersom of Sanbornton; three daughters, Rebecca Bernard of Groveton, Kathi Mitchell of Woodsville, Jennifer Chauvette of Groveton; 12 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, a niece and nephew. nis Hartford and wife Joanne of Queensbury, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Carrie Fedders and husband Peter, Andrea Hartford, Carl Hartford and wife Nicole, Nathan Hartford, Amanda Hartford and fiancée Max Christopolous; three greatgrandchildren, Juliet Fedders, Benjamin Hartford and Hannah Fedders. Edward predeceased her in 1972. Visiting hours will be held Sunday evening, July 28, from 6 -8 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday morning at 10 a.m. at All Saints Church in Lancaster. Reverend Matthew Mason, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster. Donations may be made in her memory to All Saints Church, 163 Main St., Lancaster, NH 03584 or to Caleb Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, 38 Kings Square, Suite 9, Whitefield, NH 03598. Please go to www.baileyfh.net for more information or to send an online condolence. a.m. at the Jenkins and Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A graveside committal will immediately follow at the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to the CCNH Residents’ Activity Fund, P.O. Box 10, West Stewartstown, NH 03597. Condolences may be offered to the family online by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins and Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH. New Release Hiker Dan Szczesny and his nine-year-old ward, Janelle, during their journey. Courtesy photo. Elizabeth Hartford Winston G. Parkhurst ELIZABETH HARTFORD L A N C A S T E R— El i zab e th Hartford, 90, died on Tuesday evening July 23, 2013, at the Morrison Nursing Home in Whitefield. Hartford was born in Lancaster on June 6, 1923, the daughter of Fred and Rose (Gilbert) Cormier. Elizabeth was a lifetime Lancaster resident and 1942 graduate of Lancaster Academy. In 1948, she married Edward W. Hartford of Lancaster.For many years she worked as a cashier at the former A&P Supermarket and Butson’s Supermarket. She enjoyed spending time with family, listening to music and dancing. She was a Communicant of All Saints Church, Lancaster and active member of the Daughter’s of Isabella and the Tabernacle Society. Liz was a member of the Colonel Town Senior Citizens and participant of the Colonel Town Exercise Group. At Weeks Medical Center she was a member of the WMC Auxiliary and the Volunteer Services. Family members include her two sons, Andrew Hartford and wife Sandra of Lancaster, Den- WINSTON G. PARKHURST COLUMBIA—Winston G. Parkhurst, 72, of Columbia, passed away at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook on Sunday morning, July 21, 2013. He was born on April 22, 1941, in West Stewartstown, a son of the late Lynn and Madeline (Gadwah) Parkhurst. Winston was a graduate of Colebrook Academy in the Class of 1959. For many years, he was a coowner and operator of L. Parkhurst and Sons hardware store in Columbia along with his family until the sale of the business. He was a very private man who enjoyed fishing and tying flies. He also used to hunt a bit in his younger days. Winston is survived by his brother, Kenneth Parkhurst and wife Isabelle of Columbia, and Robert Parkhurst of Florida; as well as a nephew, Garry Parkhurst; and three nieces, Sheila Parkhurst, Lori MacDonald and Norine Sabine. Winston is preceded in death by a brother, Erwin Parkhurst. An hour for family and friends to visit will be on Friday, July 26, 2013, from 10-11 CHARMING NEW HIKING MEMOIR PUBLISHED When hiker Dan Szczesny and his nine-year-old ward, Janelle, first set foot on the trail to Mt. Kearsarge in November 2011, neither of them knew that this easy hike to one of the state's most popular mountain tops would change both their lives. But what followed was a hiking odyssey that lasted over a year as the two hikers crosscrossed the state on their way to a 225-mile epic attempt to complete a little-known hiking list called The 52 With a View. Bondcliff Books is proud to present The Adventures of Buffalo and Tough Cookie, a hiking memoir that chronicles the journey of the author and his young but ambitious hiking partner as this unlikely pair formed a unique and unforgettable bond that transformed both their lives. “This has been a highly anticipated book,” said Bondcliff publisher Mike Dickerman. “It's about 80 percent memoir and 20 percent guidebook. Dan’s stylish, heartfelt prose is sure to touch the hearts of all readers, whether a peakbagger or an armchair hiker.” The Adventures of Buffalo and Tough Cookie is available now at bookstores throughout the region and on Amazon.com. Beginning with a stop at EMS in Manchester tonight at 7 p.m., Dan and Janelle will set off on a series of reading, signing and hiking events through New England. Patricia Herr, author of last year’s bestselling book Up: A Mother and Daughter's Peakbagging Adventure, writes in her foreword to the book that “Not only did the two share out- The fun cover for The Adventures of Buffalo and Tough Cookie, published by Bondcliff Book. door adventures, but they forged a friendship that bridged the traditional gaps of age and gender. Theirs is a team not formed of traditional family ties but, instead, an earned and mutual respect. Dan and Janelle are a unique and inspiring duo.” And while The Adventures of Buffalo and Tough Cookie takes the readers through some special mountains, the book is also a personal memoir and travelogue of two friends. This personal account of what happened when the author and his wife (Continued on page 20) Page 20 The Colebrook Chronicle New Release (Continued from page 19) unexpectedly became part-time caretakers of nine-year-old twins is a wonderful meditation on the transformative power of friendship, commitment and the many meanings of family. Dan, the associate publisher of The Hippo, is a long-time journalist and writer. He’s a member of the AMC’s 4,000footer club and has written extensively about the outdoors and hiking. Most recently, he spent a month in Nepal trekking to Everest Base Camp. For more information about the book or the ongoing adventures of Buffalo and Tough Cookie, go to the book’s website at www.52withaview.com. Education (Continued from page 6) BOOKMOBILE AND BOOKSHELVES COMING North Star (North Stratford Adventures in Reading) will have free books for children at the common in North Stratford on Friday, Aug. 2, from 4:30-7 p.m. On Monday, Aug. 5 (or Tuesday, Aug. 6, if raining) the bookmobile will also visit Wooddale Village at 4 p.m. and Pleasant Valley Trailer Park at 4:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome at either of these locations. In addition, books for children and adults are available for borrowing or swapping at Northwoods Trading Post and the Hollow Village General Store. New books were added last week, and will be added once a month. Suggestions of additional titles, authors or genres are welcome. Letters (Continued from page 5) recession. It may soon be cheaper for Montreal to get its crude oil from the west than from tankers docked in Portland. If the Portland-Montreal Pipeline loses its customers, the only two choices would be going out of business or reversing the flow. The Portland Pipe Line Corporation is looking into whether it would viable to ship oil south for export out of Portland. This could ultimately provide access for Alberta crude to a yearround deep water port on the Atlantic, making that oil competitive for export. TransCanada is considering similar options through Vancouver to serve Asia. Environmental groups haven’t been able to stop drilling from oil sands, so now they’re trying to shut down the pipelines that carry that oil to market. They’ve collected enough signatures to put a question on the November ballot in Portland that would block any expansion or change in oil operations along the waterfront. The Obama Administration Friday, July 26, 2013 admits that there are no environmental or safety problems with piping oil from oil sands in the same pipelines that have carried traditional crude. The President says he won’t approve Keystone XL if it would substantially increase the greenhouse gas emissions, but a draft State Dept. report has already concluded that blocking the project would have no effect on the amount of oil coming out of the ground, or on overall carbon emissions. We need a much broader mix of energy sources to fuel the American economy. Wind, solar and other alternatives are going to be part of that mix. But they are not going to completely replace fossil fuels any time soon, particularly for our transportation needs. The massive domestic reserves in the western U.S. and Canada are going to get to market, one way or another. Portland Pipe Line Corporation should be allowed to study whether reversing the flow of one of the safest and most dependable pipelines in the nation makes economic and environmental sense. Instead of tankers coming into Portland from Venezuela and the Middle East, we could be filling up tankers with North American oil to complete in the global market. Wouldn’t that be a good thing, both for our energy security and our national security? We can protect our shores, create new jobs, and provide the energy a growing economy needs. And we can do it without building a single new mile of pipeline, through a company with a stellar environmental record over the past seven decades. We should not let pipeline paranoia from radical groups keep us from even considering the idea. Grant Bosse Lee N.H. Energy Forum Dear Editor: “The stranger reaps our harvest, and the alien owns our soil” Irish poet, Jane Wilde. The Regional Planning Commission has set its sights on Lancaster and has a “Vision” for you. So, beware, voters of Lancaster before you give away traditional zoning for the “new” Form Based Code (FBC) zoning. “New” isn’t always better, and that is certainly true with zoning. With FBC zoning, the rights of the community prevail over those of the individual. Planners prefer the highly rigid and constrictive FBC because they can administer it more easily with less input from you or your representatives on the planning and zoning boards. More importantly for individual and property rights, traditional zoning supports constitutionally protected private property from being taken without just compensation, whether the taking is by eminent domain or because of overly burdensome land use regulations. These same constitutional protections are not applicable with FBC zoning because the outcomes are predetermined in a community development plan devised by the planners, technicians, building code enforcement officers and other administrative government employees who are paid to administer it. FBC also costs twice to quadruple that of conventional zoning. One of the findings in the Land Use Audit (prepared by a former Regional Planning Commissioner) includes a recommendation that the Town Meeting authorize the planning board to delegate its site review to administrators. Will Re-Zoning also include the imposition of restrictions on resource use in land designated as “wilderness” or “buffer zones” that will restrict public access? Sustainable Communities Initiative, “Smart Growth” includes the doctrine of Regional Equity that takes money from suburbs through the imposition of onerous laws and forces them to be more diverse. It seeks to formalize, through integration of HUD, DOT, DOE and EPA, as federal policy the very strategies that equity advocates have been seeking to advance for years at the local level. Some of the findings contained in the audit include allowing multi-family units as a permitted use in the Agricultural Districts in order to construct Workforce Housing units. But there is also a recommendation to rezone farming areas that are currently zoned commercial. Farmers and other landowners in particular should be wary of some of the Findings. You should be particularly careful before you agree to sell a conservation easement that purports to guarantee continued open space agricultural use of land. Under many states statutes, only non-profit organizations and the government can hold such easements. Landowners and farmers need to be very wary of any contracts that you sign; you may not be getting what you think you are bargaining for and may lose out altogether. If you attend a Charrette or other meeting you should also be aware that the results are predetermined no matter what you have to say. There is no accountability built into the Charrettes so the conclusions, just like with FBC zoning, have pre-determined outcomes. The Sustainable Communities Initiative/Regional Planning Commission “vision” includes under strategies to overcome anticipated barriers such as “New Hampshire’s strong tradition of individual and property rights and the resultant resistance to planning and zoning”. Maybe you can prove the bureaucrats right on this count and say no to the “new” Form Based Code Re-Zoning plan for Lancaster and resist their efforts to Re-Zone to FBC? Alan Savage knows whereof he speaks. He is a lifelong resident of Lancaster and both a former Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Lancaster Zoning Board. Listen to him. Beware of the “new” plan to ReZone Lancaster to Form Based Code. Martha Spalding Salem Friday, July 26, 2013 The Colebrook Chronicle Business Directory Page 21 Call 603-246-8998 Bruce Katz, DDS —DENTIST— Main Street Colebrook, NH 03576 Phone 237-8919 Visit Our Website At www.colebrookchronicle.com DAN′S Glass And Mirror Daniel Dionne Route 3, Clarksville, NH Business 246-8996 Residential and Commercial Glass Auto Glass Garage Door Sales and Service Garage Door Operators Screen and Window Repair Mirrors TRUCKERS/LOGGERS CALL For A Quote On Your Trucks/Logging Equipment and General Liability. AND Garage Coverage, Homeowners and Personal Autos. CASS INSURANCE, INC. P.O. BOX 406 Michelle Nanc NEWPORT, VT 05855 Tel. 802-334-6944 Fax: 802-334-6934 Pride Builders REMODELING AND NEW CONSTRUCTION Call Haze Smith at (802) 266-3067 www.pridebuildersVT.com Quality construction emphasizing comfort, safety, durability and low energy bills! GET REBATES FOR YOUR ENERGY EFFICIENT PURCHASES Certified Green Professional You can email Your Ad To The Chronicle at info@colebrookchronicle.com 6,000 Readers Every Week! Also on the web At www.colebrookchronicle.com The Colebrook Chronicle Page 22 Classifieds For Sale Central Boiler E-Classic OUTDOOR FURNACES. Heat your entire home and hot water.EPA Qualified. Call today, 1-800-295 -8301. (603) 237-8301. 9/27 Buying snowmobiles, ATVs and motorcycles. Call (603) 5386963 or (802) 334-1603. TFN 2000 Toyota Corolla CE, silver. Fair condition, 230k mi., runs well. $1,799 OBO. Call 2467107. 7/26 300-400 cookie jars. Old and new. McCoy, American Bique, etc. (603) 444-2479. 7/26 RV or van roof storage bin, 6ft.x3-ft.x14-inch deep. Many uses. Waterproof. $50 OBO. (603) 237-5020. 7/26 Whirpool up-right freezer, beige, used very little. $175. Graco double seated baby stroller, $15. 237-4006 or 9156785. 7/26 1997 Mercury Sable Sedan, V6, auto., only 82k, super clean, no rust. $3,495. Call (603) 2521883 8/2 Futon for sale, Wallace Pond, Canaan, Vt. Like new, $100 or best offer. Great for a camp. Call Anita, (774) 273-0485. 8/2 2001 Ford Ranger Edge, 4x4, 72,000 miles, auto., Linex bedliner w/rubber mat, new tires, towing pkg., undercoated clean interior. In good condition. $6,200 obo. Call 237-8690. 7/26 8” sliding glass door, best offer; 40’ aluminum ladder, $400; 32’ aluminum ladder, $75; 32’ fiberglas ladder, $200; Harvard ping-pong table, $75; Coleman camping table, best offer. Procam propane and natural gas heater, 20,000 btu, like new, Friday, July 26, 2013 Call 603-246-8998 $150. Metal asbestos chimney, 8”, $75. Call (802) 266-3027. 7/26 Cukes, Green Onions, Broccoli, Herbs, Beef, Pork, Cheese, Eggs, Honey, Maple Syrup, Organic Coffee, etc. Services And Salvage! In my area, top prices paid for your junk or unwanted vehicles. Call Rusty Edwards. (603) 2375676. 6/28/13 Open Tues.-Fri. 9-5 Sat. 9-2 TFN Music Lessons: Guitar, Ukulele, Banjo, Mandolin, Bass, Dulcimer, and Voice. Children ages 5 -8 for $60/month, includes instrumental rental. All other students, $75, instrument rental $15. Roberta’s Studio, (603) 331-1628. TFN Allan Dudley electrical appliance and power tools repair services, vacuum cleaners, microwaves, etc. All makes. 1-802277-4424. 7/26 Wanted Top dollar paid for junk cars and trucks. Also, steel, batteries, aluminum cans. Call (603) 636-1667 days or (603) 6361304 nights. 9/27. Farm Fresh Local organic greens, fresh local eggds, natural and whole foods, soy, gluten & Dairy free products at the Copper Leaf store. Located in the green building between IGA and the rest area, 237-5318. TFN !**NORTH COUNTRY**! **MARKETPLACE & SALVAGE** 104 Colby Street, Colebrook 603-631-1221 http:// www.marketplaceandsalvage.com/ Offering Fresh Local Produce/ products: Berries, Rhubarb, Potatoes, String Beans, Peas, Peppers, Garlic and Scapes, Beets, Greens, Kohlrabi, Zucchini, Summer Squash, Carrots, Apple Haven Farm, offering certified organic vegetables, fruits, herbs and goat milk every Saturday, 8-noon, at the Colebrook Farmer’s Market and at the North Country Marketplace, Colby Street, from Tues.Sat. (603) 246-3438. www.applehavenfarm.com.8/2 For Rent Two bedroom trailer at 95 Bridge Street, Colebrook. Large yard and carport included. All major appliances included— stove, refrigerator washer/ dryer. Large storage shed. Available after Aug. 1. Mike, 237-4265. 8/2 Firewood Cut, split, delivered. Jones Brook Farm, Guildhall, Vt. (802) 328-2013. 1/17/2014 Cut, split and delivered (within 15 miles radius of Groveton). $225 per cord. Call (603) 6311984. 12/27 Boat Rentals Pontoons, Canoes, kayaks, Runabout ski boats Daily and Weekly rentals We launch and pickup FAIRLEE MARINE www.fairleemarine.com 802-333-9745 Boat Service Is your boat unreliable And Ready to go? Doesn't have the power it used to? Our Certified Technicians Fix Things Right We can water test or dyno test so you know it's fixed FAIRLEE MARINE www.fairleemarine.com 802-333-9745 Consignments We take good late model boats in to sell for you. We do the sale and warranty, you collect the cash. They sell fast and get as much or more than selling it yourself. FAIRLEE MARINE See them on our website at www.fairleemarine.com 802-333-9745 Lightweight Boat Docks One person can install or take them out. In stock. Standing, Floating, or Roll-In. FAIRLEE MARINE See them on our website at www.fairleemarine.com 802-333-9745 Certified Used Boats Lots of good Used Boats to choose from. Checked over by our certified technicians. If its not reliable, we won't sell it. FAIRLEE MARINE See them on our website at www.fairleemarine.com 802-333-9745 Monuments Cemetery monuments sold new, installed, cleaned, death date engraved. Dana Nordberg, (603) 348-3200. 9/27 Yard Sale Multi-family, July 20 & 27 and Aug. 3, 8 till ? Half-mile north of Colebrook, Bridge St. on Vt. 102. Bunk beds, crib, furniture, tools, golf clubs, craft supplies, sewing machine, books and lots more. Closed if raining. 8/2 97 Hill Road, Pittsburg, Fri.Sun., 9-3. Lot of new yarn, nice sewing machine w/cabinet, few tools and old items, appliances and household items. Tea Rose dish set, treadmill. 7/26 Huge yard sale, Sat., July 27, 93. Tools, electric/hand, furniture, lights, kitchen and bath items, fishing rods, too much to list. 21 Bungy Road. Bring your dollars. Great bargains. 7/26 Moving Sale Moving in-downsizing sale! No room for all this stuff! Furniture, kitchen, tools, décor, and much more! Saturday, July 20, 8-5. 118 Reed Rd., Colebrook. Rte. 26, left on Fish Hatchery, right on Reed, less than half mile up on right. Follow signs. 7/19 Book Signing Dixville, Colebrook, Columbia, Stewartstown, Aug. 2, Canaan, Vt., library, 4:30-7 p.m.; Aug. 3, Stewartstown Park, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Mail orders, PO Box 45, Colebrook, NH 03576. $21.99 plus $7 shipping. Online www.susanzizza. 8/2 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MINIMUM CHARGE: 30 WORDS (OR LESS) $4.00 PER WEEK. RUN YOUR AD 2 WEEKS, GET A 3RD WEEK FREE! IF YOUR AD RUNS MORE THAN 30 WORDS, PLEASE ADD AN ADDITIONAL 12 CENTS PER WORD. (All classifieds must be prepaid.) Please send your classified to: The Colebrook Chronicle PO Box 263, Colebrook, NH 03576 Friday, July 26, 2013 The Colebrook Chronicle Sports At the North Country Community Recreation Center in Colebrook, swim team members Skye Wheeler and Ashley Uran practice flutter kicks while they enjoy swimming in the pool. Lori Uran photo. After testing on May 13, new belts were given to students at Mathieu’s Martial Arts in West Stewartstown. From the left, Master Lynn Mathieu (received her green belt), Thomas Halligan (received his green and white belt), Theresa Bolton, Savannah Ricker (received her green and white belts), Master Renald Mathieu. Lori Uran photo. Page 23 Page 24 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, July 26, 2013 Business CJEJ FARM APPROVED FOR RETAIL BUILDING At a special meeting on Wednesday, July 24, the Columbia Planning Board approved the construction of a 36foot-by-80-foot retail building pending septic design approval for the CJEJ Farm. Chris and Joyce Brady are the farm’s owners, and in her presentation, Joyce told the Board once the site is operating, they plan to sell meat, eggs, corn, and poultry. The retail space itself will be 36-foot by 40 -foot, and the rest of the building will be the processing center for which their son, Jacob, will be the meat cutter. Right now, Joyce said, “We raise and sell our own pigs, cows, and poultry, but once we go into retail, everything will have to be state approved and licensed.” The Bradys think it will occur as a two-part project, depending on the funding. Presently the plans are being drawn up by Jim Mason who builds barns all over the state. According to Joyce, “We plan to erect the meat processing part first, and add the multi-purpose retail shed as we can afford it.” The farm consists of 90 acres, and the plan is to grow their herd, as well as their turkeys and pigs. The building will have a walk in freezer and a walk in cooler so that they will be able to freeze everything as soon as it is butchered. Joyce said she hopes to have everything up and running by the winter, and they plan to butcher from October to March. They will still continue to offer custom butchering. Once the septic design is approved, the selectmen will then sign the official approval, which is good for two years. —Marie P. Hughes
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