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This week's stories: (click on the headline
to jump to story)
 Fresh
from the farm
Selectman
dies of cancer at 72
Man
charged in home invasion, kidnapping
Camp
provides a summer break for special-needs children
Skate
park gets grant
Weare
Fresh from the farm
New market brings produce
to Weare center
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By JENNIFER CLAISE
Staff Writer
jclaise@yourneighborhoodnews.com
While the rain and muggy weather may have
kept some vendors and customers away last Friday, the town's
new farmers market has been a hit this summer, according to Director
Mike Mudge.
Each Friday afternoon, between nine and 12 vendors from farms
and businesses in Weare and surrounding areas set up shop at
the town gazebo to sell freshly picked produce, baked goods,
seafood, and other goods. According to Mudge, the market has
done well in its opening weeks.
"It's been excellent," he said. "People have been
very happy with it. They've said that it's about time Weare has
done this."
Jessica Clark, of Abigail's Bakery in Weare, said that the vendors
of the market came together to "promote both local business
and sustainable local agriculture."
Mudge agreed, and added that, by shopping at the market, customers
get a healthier product; the produce is all organic, and the
prepared foods do not use preservatives. And while some of the
prices do run higher than shoppers would find in a chain supermarket,
the market's customers are paying for quality.
"Some of the items are more expensive,"
Mudge said. "I mean, you can go down to the supermarket
and get a loaf of bread for 79 cents, and you won't find that
here. But here, you're getting a much better product overall."
Sue Hague, owner of the Hague Farm in Concord,
said that the main benefit of shopping at the farmers market
is freshness.
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ALL EARS Sue Hague, at right,
owner of the Hague Farm in Concord, and Brenda Peterson, who
helps out at the farm, show off their just-picked corn at the
new Weare Farmers Market. The market, located at the town gazebo,
takes place Fridays throughout the summer from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
(Jennifer Claise Photo)
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"Our stuff is picked just minutes
before we get here," she said of the corn, squash, tomatoes,
onions, peaches and other organic produce sold at her stand.
"I'd say about 20 minutes before we came here."
Roger Noonan of the Middle Branch Farm in New Boston, who was
selling organic tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes and green peppers,
agreed that freshness is key.
"My stuff is picked today or yesterday, that's the number-one
difference," he said.
Additionally, customers should feel good knowing that they are
helping local businesses.
"By shopping here, they're supporting local farms and helping
the farmers keep more of their dollar in a very tenuous business."
The farmers market is held each Friday throughout the summer
from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the town gazebo. Vendors interested
in joining the market can contact Mudge at 529-1482.
Goffstown
Selectman dies of cancer at 72
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By JENNIFER CLAISE
Staff Writer
jclaise@yourneighborhoodnews.com
GOFFSTOWN Long-time Goffstown
resident and selectman John Sarette, a man who his friend Bob
Wheeler described as "the embodiment of the American dream,"
died Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Catholic Medical Center, according
to a hospital spokesperson. He was 72.
According to Wheeler, Sarette had spent a few weeks in the hospital
prior to his death, where he was diagnosed with lung cancer and
had suffered a stroke.
While he had been scheduled to return to his home on Libby Street
on Monday, he was too weak to do so, Wheeler said.
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John Sarette
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"He was very much looking forward
to coming home," he said.
Wheeler was supposed to visit Sarette at 11 a.m. on Tuesday,
he said, before learning of his death sometime earlier that morning.
And although he knew that Sarette was ill, news of his death
still hit Wheeler hard.
"I had to struggle to keep my composure when I made the
announcement this morning," he said.
Wheeler, the chairman of the board of selectmen, said his relationship
with Sarette dates back to 1973, when Sarette became a selectman.
Sarette was also a former state representative, Wheeler said.
Prior to that, Sarette had served as a training officer in the
fire department, Wheeler said. He also was a mechanic, who opened
a tire and battery shop in Pinardville.
The shop, located on the corner of Mast and College roads, is
now run by Sarette's son Bill, Wheeler said.
And while he was unsure of just how long Sarette had lived in
Goffstown, Wheeler indicated that it had been several decades.
"He came here right after Johnny Appleseed," Wheeler
joked.
Sarette is survived by his wife, Sara Ann, and eight children.
According to Sara Ann, the couple was just two months shy of
celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The two were married
on Oct. 23, 1954.
Sara Ann said that her husband was especially proud of his service
in the U.S. Navy, having served four years in the Navy and 36
years in the Naval Reserves.
John and Sara Ann were also members of the Boot Scootin' Boomers,
a colorful, unique musical group that raises money for the Crotched
Mountain Foundation to aid children and adults with various types
of disabilities.
"He was a great father, a wonderful husband, and just a
great guy," Sara Ann said.
Wheeler and Town Administrator Susan Desruisseaux both confirmed
that the flags in town will be flown at half-staff to honor Sarette.
"His death is a great loss," said Desruisseaux, who
first met Sarette in 1993 when she started working for the town.
"He contributed so much to the community."
Scott Gross, chairman of the Goffstown School Board, was saddened
to hear of Sarrette's death. The two had met while working together
to bring a kindergarten to town.
"For those who knew John in his role as a selectman, state
representative, and community volunteer, he truly committed
his life to helping others," Gross said. "He will be
sorely missed by all of us."
Wheeler said that one of the things Sarette will be most remembered
for is his work ethic.
"He raised a large family, and he worked hard and he worked
long to support that family," he said.
And although Sarette was heavily involved in local government,
his life amounted to much more than politics.
"He was very active in the community, as a selectman and
a rep, but this is not a political thing," Wheeler said.
"This was simply a guy in town that everyone knew and liked."
And, he added, a man who made extraordinary contributions to
his neighborhood.
"I think that John Sarette was the epitome of a voluntary
servant to the community," Wheeler said. "Not only
did he do it a lot each week, but he's done it over the last
30 years. You won't find too many other people out there who
could match his dedication to the community.
"We'll miss him," he added simply.
Sarette's wake will be held Friday, Aug. 20, at the French and
Rising Funeral Home in Goffstown, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7
to 9 p.m. The time of the burial mass, which will be held at
the Parish of the Transfiguration Church in Manchester, could
not be confirmed at press time. Sarette will be buried in the
Shirley Hill Cemetery in Goffstown.
Goffstown
Man charged in home invasion, kidnapping
By JENNIFER CLAISE
Staff Writer
jclaise@yourneighborhoodnews.com
Police arrested a 47-year-old Goffstown
man Sunday after he invaded a home on Sunbeam Place over the
weekend, kidnapping one of the residents and later assaulting
him.
Daniel Dion, of 127 Horizon Drive, broke into the home of Alan
Davis, 48, at 28 Sunbeam Place shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday,
Aug. 14, according to Police Attorney Kerry Steckowych.
Dion then took Davis to a home on Tirrell Road, where he assaulted
him. Police were alerted to the incident after Davis' family
member called them on Saturday after the break-in, Steckowych
said. Davis was released and was not in need of medical attention,
police said.
Dion was arraigned Monday at Milford District Court and charged
with burglary, a Class B felony; kidnapping, a Class A felony;
criminal threatening, a Class A misdemeanor; and two counts of
simple assault, a Class A misdemeanor.
According to Goffstown police Capt. Glen DuBois, Judge Martha
Crocker kept Dion's bail at $25,000 but changed it from cash
to surety bond, meaning that Dion may shortly be released on
a bail bond. However, as far as DuBois knows, Dion is still being
held at the Valley Street Jail in Manchester.
Shaunna Taylor, Steckowych's assistant, said that Dion pleaded
not guilty to the misdemeanors.
A probable cause hearing for the felonies is scheduled for Aug.
24 in Goffstown District Court. Steckowych added that as police
continue their investigation, more charges may be added, which
may or may not involve other people.
"The officers are having a difficult time getting statements
from the parties involved," Steckowych said. "There
are a pile of interviews that still need to happen."
While the details are sketchy, and police are still investigating
the motive for the attack, they suspect that it may involve retaliation
for a perceived insult to Dion's family, Steckowych said.
Steckowych also mentioned that Dion may have been Davis' landlord.
Area
School Test Scores
Local schools not showing adequate progress
Lower results due mainly to scores of
learning-disabled students
By RUSS CHOMA
Staff Writer
rchoma@yourneighborhoodnews.com
Based on the results of test scores released
by state education officials last week, it appears that schools
in both Goffstown and Weare have failed to meet standards for
annual improvement.
John Stark Regional High School, Weare Middle School and Goffstown's
Mountain View Middle School are on the list of 130 schools that,
according to preliminary data from testing done last spring,
have failed to meet standards demonstrating their students are
making "adequate yearly progress."
The figures are the result of the statewide reading and math
assessment tests given to all New Hampshire students in third,
sixth and 10th grade this past spring. On Aug. 12, the state
Department of Education released the test scores, grouping students
into four levels of achievement "advanced," "proficient,"
"basic" or "novice."
Under the federal No Child Left BehinD Act, at least 60 percent
of students in every school across the state must score at the
basic level or higher on the New Hampshire Educational Improvement
and Assessment Program tests. Particular subgroups of the school's
population such as minority students, poor students and
learning disabled students must also meet those standards.
Failure to meet the standard for multiple years in a row can
result in stiff penalties including the dismissal of teaching
staff or the state taking over the district. For all three schools,
this is the first year they failed to make adequate yearly progress,
so they do not currently face any penalties.
Ironically, each school as a whole actually met the basic standard
in some cases actually exceeding the 60 percent mark by
significant margins. In both the Weare and Goffstown schools,
the failing label was assigned because less than 60 percent of
the students classified as educationally disabled scored "basic"
or above.
Goffstown
To have its scores considered in the school's adequate yearly
progress assessment, a subgroup must have at least 11 students.
Mountain View had two such subgroups: socio-economically disadvantaged
students, and educationally disabled.
The socio-economically disadvantaged subgroup met standards,
but the data shows the learning disabled students missing by
a wide margin. Of the 43 disabled students tested at Mountain
View, only 13 scored "basic" or higher in reading,
and only 14 did so for math.
Though some other districts are planning to appeal the failing
label, SAU 19 Superintendent Darrell Lockwood said Goffstown
would not try and brush the results under the rug.
"I don't want to downplay it because all our kids are important,"
he said. "I don't think there were any surprises we
still have room to improve."
Lockwood said there is already a strong special education program
at Mountain View, and thanks to grant money, two new staff members
would be added. Lockwood said he had confidence in the current
staff and programs, as well as the new staff, and predicted the
failing score could be remedied.
"I'm proud we made adequate yearly progress in all the other
schools, and I'm pleased we already have an approach to deal
with special education at Mountain View," he said.
Although students from New Boston and Dunbarton attend Mountain
View for seventh and eighth grade, these numbers only include
data from sixth-grade Goffstown students.
Weare
In Weare, the learning disabled population at both John Stark
Regional High School and Weare Middle School, also struggled,
despite strong scores from the general population.
At John Stark, which includes students from Weare and Henniker,
only 11 of the 27 students (40 percent) in the subgroup scored
"basic" or above on the reading portion. Of the general
population, by contrast, 78 percent of students made the grade.
All groups, including the learning disabled, were OK'd for math.
Weare Middle School had a similar situation, with the learning
disabled population failing to make the grade in math. Out of
the 15 learning-disabled sixth graders, only four scored "basic"
or higher. Sixty-nine percent of the general population scored
"basic" or higher.
SAU 24 Superintendent Christine Tyrie did not return a call for
comment on the scores before press time.
Problems with test?
Lockwood said he had some concerns about the test in particular,
the extent of the testing done this year.
In years past, students were not only tested in math and language
arts, but science and social studies. Budget cuts pared down
the number of subjects, and Lockwood said the extent of the language
arts test had been downsized as well.
"This year it's only reading," Lockwood said. "Last
year it included multiple choice, open answer and a writing sample
as well as the reading sample."
Goffstown School Board Chairman Scott Gross said the fact that
the NHEIAPs only test grades 3, 6 and 10, and don't compare a
student's progress made them less useful to the district.
"We're comparing this year's third grade with last year's
third grade," Gross said. "And that's hard. That doesn't
give you the data you really want."
Both Gross and Lockwood said the district would be trying out
the Northwest Evaluation Association test. A computer-based evaluation
test, Bedford put this new system into place last year in an
effort to produce more accurate, useful information about student
progress.
Goffstown
Volunteers
Camp provides a summer
break for special-needs children
By RUSS CHOMA
Staff Writer
rchoma@yourneighborhoodnews.com
GILMANTON Just like
any other kid, 8-year-old Andy Martin sometimes finds living
with his parents is a bit of a drag. They do things such as imposing
what feels like a rather strict bed time.
"My parents make me go to be at eight o'clock for some reason,"
Andy says, wrinkling his nose in distaste.
So that's just one reason why Andy, like any other 8-year old,
really gets a kick out of sleep-away camp. At camp he gets to
hang out with friends, stay up way past eight, and do all kinds
of fun things you never get to do at home. Fun summer camp type
of things like horseback riding and taking target practice
with BB guns.
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At the thought of target
practice, Andy's face lights up with a brilliant smile.
"I won a medal today," he says proudly, recounting
how he shot out the last balloon on the target board.
And, of course, you can't forget the quintessential summer camp
tradition of making marshmallow s'mores.
"I like to burn them, so I set them on fire first. They
taste better that way," Andy explains, matter-of-factly.
But as typical as Andy might sound, the fact is, for him, the
chance to do all this stuff is just a bit more special. Andy
was born with spina bifida a condition that affects his
spinal cord and confines him to a wheelchair. And when you're
in a wheelchair, typical childhood experiences like summer
camp are not necessarily a given.
But thanks to Camp Fatima,
Andy gets his chance to stay up late, shoot BB guns and singe
marshmallows like any other 8-year-old. Camp Fatima is a Gilmanton
summer camp run by the Manchester Catholic Diocese, that for
one week a summer sponsors "Exceptional Citizens Week,"
a summer camp for Andy and 129 other kids with severe mental
and physical disabilities.
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HAPPY CAMPERS Andy Martin, 8, of
Goffstown gets a hug from James O'Driscoll, a counselor at Camp
Fatima in Gilmanton. Goffstown Police Chief Mike French, left,
is the resident director of the camp's "Exceptional Citizens
Week," which caters to children who are disabled. French
began volunteering at the camp when he was 14. (Russ Choma Photo)
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Standing near Andy, listening with obvious pride, is the program's
resident director, Goffstown Police Chief Mike French. Along
with a staff of more than 200 other volunteers hailing from as
far as California, French donates a week of his own vacation
time each summer to volunteer at the camp. French spent his first
summer working at Fatima back in 1969, when at age 14 he first
volunteered at the urging of his aunt, Mary-Ann French, who runs
the camp's infirmary.
These days, a total of 14 French family members volunteer. Some,
like his daughter Missy, are from Goffstown. Others, like Tricia
Sweezey and Joanne Hamel and their children, are from New Boston.
But as he says goodbye to Andy and continues leading a tour of
Fatima, French insists he doesn't want to talk about himself
or his family.
"It's about the kids," he said. And over the years,
French has seen a lot of kids come through Fatima. The sense
of excitement and accomplishment the campers get, he said, makes
it worthwhile.
For instance, French remembers how, years ago, before he was
the director, he used to work in the stables, helping campers
with what sometimes was their first ride on a horse.
"We had a young boy come up, who at the beginning of the
week wouldn't even come near the fence," French recalls.
He had never been so near such large animals. Each day of the
week the camper returned, moving closer and closer to the fence.
Then he was petting the horses.
"By Thursday, he's in the saddle," French said, with
a grin, "and we can't get him out!"
That may not sound like much to most people, he said, but to
a person with a severe disability that limits them to a wheelchair,
something as simply as riding a horse is no easy task. To ensure
safety, staff were there to guide the horse, and several others
walked alongside, firmly holding the camper in the saddle.
"I don't remember his name, but that's a story that sticks
with you," French said. "Doing these activities is
exciting for them. It gives them a sense of accomplishment."
Though this year's Exceptional Citizen's Week will finish up
on Aug. 21, French said he's already thinking about next year.
For information on how to enroll a camper in the program, or
just find out more, French suggested family members contact the
camp at 364-5851, or by writing to E.C. Week, P.O. Box 206, Gilmanton
I.W., NH 03837.
New
Boston
Skate park gets grant
By DEVON CORMIER
Staff Writer
dcormier@yourneighborhoodnews.com
The town has received an $18,000 grant
for a skate park from the Hillsborough County Incentive Funds,
raising the hopes of a dozen kids that have been pining for a
park.
On the downside, only a little over half of the money needed
for a skate park has been raised, and the grant money must be
used within the next 12 months.
But Leo Joy said he's not worried. Joy and his two teenage sons
have been involved in the New Boston Skate Park Committee for
years. Joy said they will be meeting with the recreation department
and discussing options among themselves to possibly downscale
the park or raise more money through donations.
"Morale has definitely been boosted," Joy said. "The
kids have worked so hard and had one road block after another.
It's been hard to keep their spirits up, but they've been very
diligent."
Recreation Director Mike Sindoni said they got about half of
what they were asking for from the incentive funds, but more
than they expected. The incentive funds are geared towards decreasing
juvenile crime and increasing health, Sindoni said.
The school board has said they don't object to putting the skate
park on their land near the town ball fields. The town got the
chance to vote on funding a skate park in March, but it was shot
down by 36 votes, disappointing many teenagers, Sindoni said.
"I think the kids now have the message that this will happen
eventually," Sindoni said. "I think we'll hit the number
we need to do this."
Joy is looking for donations from people that could help excavate
the land and put up fencing and things like that. If people want
to get involved, they can e-mail the committee at NewBostonSkatePark@
hotmail.com.
Joy said a skate park is important to the community because skaters
are using unsafe places to skate, and because skating is a fast-growing
sport.
"Older kids and teens really have nothing to do in New Boston,"
Joy said. "Kids, whether they are 8 or 18, have no place
to skate in New Boston. We have programs for traditional sports,
but none for nontraditional sports."
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