Frisbie Memorial Hospital Nurse Honored For Efforts

ROCHESTER—

Nurses at Frisbie Memorial Hospital are being honored with “The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.” The award, presented in collaboration with The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the extraordinary efforts that most nurses perform every single day.

Frisbie Memorial announced on January 19, December’s DAISY Award recipient is Intensive Care Units’, Dawn Vinciguerra, RN, who was nominated by Jo-Ann Brewster, RN, also from the ICU.

Brewster explains, “I'm always impressed with all the nurses on the ICU team; they are so intelligent and compassionate about their work. But one nurse in my opinion deserves recognition: Dawn Vinciguerra. When I started working in the ICU, I immediately saw a woman who deservingly had the respect of medical staff and her co-workers. She is, in my mind, the ‘go-to’ person. Vinciguerra always makes herself available to answer questions, to help with procedures, and to take on some of the most challenging patient assignments—all with a smile on her face.”

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, California, and was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

Every other month, staff nominates a nurse. The DAISY Award Committee then selects the finalist from those nominated. During a brief ceremony attended by senior management, nurse managers and department staff, the honoree receives a certificate commending him or her for being an "Extraordinary Nurse.” It reads: "In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people." Frisbie Memorial is proud to honor Vinciguerra for her super-human efforts.

Photo Caption: Pictured is DAISY Award recipient Dawn Vinciguerra (left) and nominator, Jo-Ann Brewster. (Courtesy Photo)

City of Dover Thanks Local Business Owners

DOVER—

The Department of Planning and Community Development wishes to thank local business owners in the City for their compliance with its sign ordinance. This recognition comes after staff held the first “illegal sign sweep of 2012.” The sweep occurred between January 11 and 13. In total, 21 signs were confiscated.

Director of Planning and Community Development, Christopher Parker, announced the clean up of illegal and un-permitted temporary advertising signs throughout the City of Dover on January 3, as part of a winter cleanup around the community. Illegal and un-permitted signs included those on utility poles or in the right of way.

The removal of illegal signs was warranted because the placement of these temporary signs in public rights-of-way and medians of streets, on utility poles and attached to trees is not permitted by Dover’s sign ordinance—potentially causing safety hazards for traveling motorists—and create “a visual blight that is unsightly for residents.” According to town officials, these signs detract from legitimate business signs that have gone through the proper permitting process.

“I am very pleased with our results,” Parker said. “We collected 21 signs, compared to this time last year, when we collected twenty-four. When you consider that the last sweep was over six months ago, it appears that our education and outreach campaign has continued to succeed.”

Furthermore, Assistant City Planner, Timothy Corwin, who along with Parker conducted the sweep, explains that none of the signs collected were from local Dover-based business. The signs collected advertised tree removal, firewood and hot tub sales provided by businesses outside of the community.

“It’s very rewarding to work in a community whose citizens and businesses value such a high quality of life. I’m looking forward to helping Dover maintain that quality of life by reducing clutter with future sign sweeps,” Corwin said.

Business owners who have placed these signs were advised to remove the illegal signs in advance of this clean-up effort. Any sign that was confiscated will be held for 30 days before they are recycled or destroyed, unless the owner claims the sign after paying a reclamation fee. Repeat offenders may be subject to prosecution and additional fines.

This was the fourth sweep conducted by the Planning Department since the summer of 2011. Staff have been monitoring signs and holding the sweeps every few months. At the same time, efforts have been made to reach out to businesses to explain the regulations and safety concerns associated with the placement of signs within the right of way.

For more information please call the Planning Department, at 603-516-6008.

“Red Tails” Heavy on Action, Heart

By Chip Schrader

Staff Columnist, Movie Reviewer

“Red Tails” opens with a quote from the United States Army, stating intellectual inferiority and lack of courage as their reason for not employing African Americans for officer assignments.

Following this quote is the first real shot of the film. The camera follows a fleet of German and American bombers flying over Europe. The fighter planes, piloted by Caucasian men, are attempting to protect bombers but quickly abandon them to chase after the glory of shooting down a Nazi plane. In the aftermath of their desertion, the film witnesses the cockpits and cargo areas of the bombers being shot up. Men fall, bleeding, and bombers plummet in pieces, unable to finish their mission.

Following this scene is a rather dull mission, carried out by the African American Airmen of World War II—now known as the Tuskegee Airmen. One of the aforementioned pilots even explains, “They say war is hell, I’d say this is boring as hell.” Shortly into running a routine fly though, they encounter a Nazi with full infantry—this proves an introduction for the audience to the unused talent of the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII.

The cast of the film includes a Terence Howard-portrayed Colonel. Beneath his pipe smoking Colonel, are WWII airmen “Easy,” “Winky,” “Junior,” “Neon” and “Joker.” As the first part of the film focuses primarily upon dogfights and air-to-ground combat, it takes a decent portion of the film to understand which character is which. Understandably, though, the cinematic depiction of an entire military division, as well as a story of several different heroes is a tall order in which to fully develop both characters and plot.

Beyond the difficulties of cramming so much into one film—an effort that even it’s direct—a somewhat well-known man named George Lucas—the film showcases action sequences that are at the cutting edge of action cinematography. Films like “Top Gun” and “Iron Eagle” have successfully conveyed the pulse-pounding suspense and speed of a full on midair dogfight, but “Red Tails,” with the help of digital technology, shows the great depths of fighting in midair—weaving between dozens of various competing bombers. When a plane loses altitude, you can see it from angles never before captured onscreen.

The acting is solidly done for the part. However, the passion Terence Howard needs to convey to his officers doesn’t quite ring true. He isn’t quite as believable a Colonel as he should be. For that matter, many of the commanding officers seem to be softer spoken rather than driven, and elements such as the captain’s drinking problem aren’t as well developed as they should have been. He is just seen with liquor in just one or two scenes, but the film is almost devoid of any real conflict regarding his alcoholism. Which further helps to propagate the question of whether or not Lucas spent more time on visuals than on plot-content.

All criticism aside, though, these characters remain with you long after the film ends. The story is a terrific history lesson of what our nation has overcome when it comes to racial barriers. It does a lot to highlight the bravery and prejudice that highlighted the work of these men during World War II.

Bottom line: “Red Tails” is a solid movie and, save for a little language, it is a rare opportunity for a father and son movie outing. The acting is a bit soft in spots but the imagery is breathtaking. The characters are people that the audience will care and root for, even though it takes over half of the movie to get to know them. There are no real standout performances, but there are many quotable lines throughout the film. Most importantly, each character gets a scene or two to make his definitive mark.

In the end, viewers will walk away wanting at least another half an hour with such a quietly charismatic cast. 3 out of 5 stars.

Memory Care Program at the Mark Wentworth Home Awarded ‘Excellence in Care’ Distinction by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

PORTSMOUTH—

The Mark Wentworth Home in Portsmouth has earned the nationally recognized, Excellence in Care Distinction from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) for the nineteen-bed Garden Place Memory Care Program. The Home’s Program, which is only one of the Assisted Living services available at the residence, is the first in the Maine and New Hampshire Seacoast areas—and is one of only two memory care programs in New England—to have earned the distinction.

The Excellence in Care program is an AFA initiative created to establish a nationwide standard of excellence in care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.

The program, which was created with the input of dementia and Alzheimer’s industry experts, consists of a comprehensive on-site evaluation of participating programs and ongoing consultation on strategies to achieve established standards for quality of care and to sustain performance. Key areas of review include: environment, education, staff-client interaction and programming geared toward memory care initiatives. Only the care settings that successfully reach the standards established by this initiative will earn the status of Alzheimer's Foundation of America Excellence in Care Dementia Program of Distinction.

The Mark Wentworth Home’s Garden Place Memory Care Program is lead by Assisted Living Administrator Verna Brewer, RN, and coordinated daily by Sandra Osborne, LNA, and Suzanne Rapozza, RN; each of whom earned the designation of Dementia Care Specialist from the Foundation. More than twenty members of the Mark Wentworth Home’s Enrichment and Licensed Care Staffs have earned the distinction of Dementia Care Professional by participating in a specialized AFA certification process.

More information about the Mark Wentworth Home’s Garden Place Memory Care Program and the Excellence in Care Distinction can be found on the Home’s website at www.markwentworth.org.

Returning in mid February of 2012, the Home’s series of informational and support sessions for families of loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia is open to the public. Session dates will be posted on the website.

Photo caption: Members of the Garden Place Memory Care team with Garden Place Coordinator Sandra Osborne, LNA, DMC (back row, center) and Mark Wentworth Home Executive Director Debbie Rodier (front row, left) proudly display the “Excellence in Care Distinction” plaque. (Courtesy photo)

Level 6 Gymnasts Take Top Honors at DGS Northeast Invitational Meet

PORTSMOUTH—

Level-6 gymnasts from Atlantic Gymnastics of Portsmouth recently returned home with honors from the DGS Northeast Invitational, held at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. Gymnasts from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey battled for first place honors.
Anya Cunningham of Raymond placed first all-around in the 8-9-year-old division. Anya also received first place honors on vault and bars, and second place honors for beam and floor. Megan Cunningham of Seabrook placed second on vault, fifth on beam and floor, and sixth all-around in that division as well.
In the 10-year-old division, Alicia Burchuk of Madbury had another stellar day, placing first all around as well as first on bars, beam and floor and second place on vault. Ratana Ryan of Portsmouth placed third all-around as well as second on beam, third on floor and sixth on vault.
In the 11-year-old division, Casey Penacho of Greenland placed second all-around as well as third on vault and floor, and fourth place on bars. Sophia Salter of Nottingham placed fourth all-around, as well as a fourth place finish for beam, and sixth place for bars and floor. Jillian Dalton of Newfields received top honors for her beam routine, with a personal best score of 9.10, as well as a top 10 finish all around.
In the senior division, Malia Cryan of York, ME placed second all-around, as well as first place on bars, second place on floor, third place on beam and fourth place on vault.
The team will return to practice to prepare for their meet February 4 in Danbury, Connecticut.
Photo caption: From left to right – Alicia Burchuk, Anya Cunningham, Casey Penacho, Malia Cryan, Megan Cunningham, Jillian Dalton, Ratana Ryan, and Sophia Salter. (Courtesy Photo)

Chip’s Picks for Kids: Three Picture Books for the Family

By Chip Schrader
Staff Book Review
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man
This month’s first featured picture book comes from acclaimed novelist Michael Chabon’s freshmen foray into children’s picture books. “The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man” is a comic book-themed story—not such a surprising venture, given Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winner, “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay.” A novel drenched in the mythos of American comics.
The first person narration of “Awesome Man” is fun and goofy, different from Chabon’s earlier children’s work, a novel, “Summerland.” He introduces his villains—including a giant, flaming eyeball—but the story doesn’t move far beyond Awesome Man’s one-on-one interaction with Chabon’s villains. “Awesome Man” reads as a book meant to set up a series, and in this case it would function well as the introduction to a well-conceived superhero.
With that said, Chabon’s imagination has infinite powers. Coupled with illustrations that help tell the story, rather than just accompany it, Chabon could have a winning series for younger audiences. As for Jake Parker’s illustrations, they are vivid—with fine lines and edges, and they have a richness that rivals the best of comic book-illustrations. Chabon and Parker masterfully use the illustrations to depict conflict that Awesome Man could easily, but less satisfactorily, say. Best read aloud, audiences of all ages will get a serious case of the chuckles from Awesome Man’s freshmen debut.
Reading level: Ages 4 and up, Hardcover: 40 pages, Publisher: Balzer & Bray.
Otis and the Tornado
Bestselling writer and illustrator Loren Long follows up the successful Barack Obama-collaborative effort, “Of Thee I Sing,” with “Otis and the Tornado.” The captivating cover art alone makes it certain that this book will attract fans of “Thomas the Tank Engine,” and like stories. The cover depicts the titular Otis, a tractor with a worried look on his face, as he spots a tornado on the horizon.
Otis has many friends on the farm where he works, and he lives a generally happy life there. However, when Mother Nature gives the animals all a scare, Otis comes to the rescue while readers learn the values of heroism and friendship. Echoes of “Charlotte’s Web” and other classic children’s tales abound in Long’s recent effort.
Long’s writing has an excellent rhythm and his word choices touch upon an almost musical quality. The illustrations are a brilliant rendering of a mixture of imagery from “The Polar Express,” “Thomas the Tank Engine” and “The Wizard of Oz.” “Otis and The Tornado” is a story deserving of an out-loud reading, and the tone of the language is gentle enough for any bedtime story. Though it’s still early in the year, this charming story could be in the running for many awards.
Reading level: Ages 3 and up, Hardcover: 40 pages, Publisher: Philomel.
The Very Quiet Cricket
The latest book from beloved “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” author Eric Carle is, “The Very Quiet Cricket.” The illustration and writing style for his latest work will satisfy devout “Very Hungry Caterpillar” fans, and the story itself won’t disappoint new readers. Carle begins his book telling readers of the four thousand-plus species of crickets living both above and below ground.
Upon the birth of a little cricket in Carle’s story, a bigger cricket begins to rub his hind legs together to chirp; we learn that only male crickets can make this sound. As various insects pass by, they say hello to the little cricket, but every time, “The little cricket wanted to answer, he rubbed his wings together…but nothing happened. No sound.” This phrase carries throughout the book as the cricket tries to learn his language. Which remains the central theme of “Very Quiet Cricket.”
Upon finishing the book, readers are in for quite the surprise feature, as the book makes a sound at the turn of the last page. While the motif’s and style of this book are commonplace with Carle’s work, it is just this kind of work that has earned him his loyal readers. So while not a stark departure from earlier works, it is no less satisfying. The full-page illustrations and poetic tone makes “The Very Quiet Cricket” an excellent book for wide ranging audiences.
Reading level: Ages 2 and up, Hardcover: 32 pages, Publisher: Philomel.

Exeter Helps Promote Green Growth

EXETER—
A drive down the Swasey Parkway in Exeter reveals sprawling farmland that gives way to Revolutionary War-era buildings and a downtown bandstand decked out in tri-colored flags. It’s clear at a glimpse that Exeter is a city that takes pride in its history and natural beauty, so it’s not surprising that Exeter is also just one New Hampshire city helping to lead the way to an independent, sustainable future.
According to a study by the Brookings Institution released this past June, New Hampshire has the fastest growing green economy in New England, with an average 5.3% increase in green jobs from 2003 through 2010. In fact, green job growth outpaces overall job growth in New Hampshire, which is already second in the nation at 1.4%. The southern counties of Merrimack, Hillsborough and Exeter’s own Rockingham, are the epicenter of this trend and provide most of the state’s green jobs.
Alternative energy companies represent the largest sector of the green economy anywhere, but especially in New Hampshire. ReVision Energy, which has locations in Portland and Liberty, ME as well as Dover, has been installing solar energy systems since 2003. This past July, they opened a new location in Exeter.
“Alternative energy is becoming a viable option for more people, and New Hampshire residents have always been independence-minded,” says Fred Greenhalgh of ReVision Energy. “We do business across the breadth of the state. Exeter is not only centrally located, but seems to embody that independent attitude. We knew we’d be welcome here.”
ReVision Energy is a part of the Green Alliance, a Portsmouth-based organization that strives to make owning a green business easier through activism, outreach, and discounts. This summer, three other Green Alliance businesses—Acorn Organic Salon, Zev Yoga, and eZee Bikes—decided to put down roots in Exeter as well.
Acorn Organic Salon started clipping and coloring without toxic chemicals in Dover, in 2008. Their Exeter shop is their second location, and so far they’ve seen a great reception from the town. Hair salons have largely skipped the trend of going green, so owners Laura MacKay and Allison Degan saw the opportunity to show people that style shouldn’t come at the cost of putting the toxic chemicals found in dyes and fragrances into their bodies.
Jonas Amberger, who founded Zev Yoga in Portsmouth in 2006, also sees the intimate connection between going green and physical health. After practicing in Portsmouth for five years, he opened a second studio in Exeter this past August.
“As we care for ourselves we care for nature,” says Amberger. “As we take accountability for our lives we will see how to be more in harmony with our environment.”
Perhaps nobody understands that sentiment better than Tom Hemenway. After learning he had developed diabetes several years ago, he took up bike riding to get his body back on the right path. When he saw a commercial for the eZee bicycle with an electric motor that could be switched on for a boost of up to 20 mph, he knew it was the perfect product for people who wanted to get in shape or get to work without getting frustrated by steep hills and/or intimidated by their fitness level. Since then, Hemenway and his wife, Teresa, have become the exclusive New Hampshire distributors of the eZee Electric Bike as well as some of the first entrepreneurs to introduce the product to the United States.
To Michael Schidlovsky, the President of the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce, it makes perfect sense that green business would spring up in Exeter.
“Certainly green businesses take more capital to start, but it’s not just about the money,” says Schidlovsky. “It’s about understanding how things affect each other, how they’re interconnected, and that comes with an educated population. Here we have Phillips Exeter Academy and UNH just up the road. Look at Exeter High School—they just installed one of the largest photovoltaic farms in the state.” Indeed, another Green Alliance Partnering Business provided the installation for Exeter High’s new system; Revolution Energy is a cutting edge renewable energy systems purveyor based in Dover and Portsmouth.
When one green business opens, it becomes an example for other responsible businesses to follow. The fact that companies like ReVision Energy, Acorn Organic Salon, Zev Yoga and eZee Bikes—as well as the Green Alliance—choose to go the extra mile helps to assure other that it’s possible to go green while still making money.
“The way I see it, Exeter is a network of towns,” says Schidlovsky. “But certain areas have more gravity, and I think Exeter is the center of gravity here. People who understand the benefits of doing things in a green fashion and have the wherewithal to make the upfront investment are attracted to Exeter; simply put we have a community that will support these sustainable entrepreneurs.”
This article was submitted by Andrew Tiebout.