Join Master Gardeners at Weekly Open House

BRENTWOOD—
All are welcome to join UNH Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners as they plan, plant, weed, and tend trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables in the display and test gardens on Mondays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through September. Come tap the knowledge and expertise of highly trained Master Gardeners who are ready to answer home gardening and lawn care questions. They bring many years of experience and are well prepared to guide their fellow home gardeners.
The Demonstration and Instruction Garden is a multi-acre site sponsored by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program. Its mission is to promote environmental awareness through education, demonstration, conservation, and research. The gardens include a children’s garden, butterfly garden, trial garden, and many other theme gardens. The Masters Gardeners welcome visitors of all ages who would like to join in the gardening or just stroll the grounds.
Located across from the Rockingham County Complex at 113 North Road in Brentwood, the garden is in the meadow, at the bottom of the hill, behind the maintenance buildings. Please park in the lot directly across from the complex at 113 North Road and walk down the dirt road to the garden
UNH Cooperative Extension provides New Hampshire citizens with research-based education and information, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions that strengthen youth, families and communities, sustain natural resources, and improve the economy. For more information about the Master Gardener Program, or to learn about educational programs in Rockingham County, call (603) 679-5616 or visit http://bit.ly/rockingham.
Photo caption: The UNH Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners welcome visitors of all ages to join them at the Demonstration and Instruction Garden in Brentwood on Monday evenings and Thursday mornings through September. (Courtesy photo)

2010 Cochecho Arts Festival is a Hit

DOVER—
For 24 years, the Cochecho Arts Festival has been a source of pride and entertainment for residents of Dover, as well as thousands of Garrison City visitors. Each Friday morning, blankets and chairs can be spotted in Henry Law Park, stationed there by seasoned Festival veterans looking to secure their favorite spots for viewing that evening’s concert.
“It seems to get a little bigger and a little better each year,” agrees Chamber Executive Director Kirt Schuman. “People have come to expect great things from the Festival, and we go to great lengths to see that they don’t leave disappointed. Adding Livingston Taylor to the entertainment lineup this year really raised the bar for future seasons, but the fact that 10,000 people came out to the Park that night certainly tells us that we’re headed in the right direction.”
Interestingly, however, it isn’t just local residents who have flocked to the Festival, but local businesses as well, with literally dozens of them supporting the Festival through sponsorships, vending opportunities, and participation in the Festival’s “Button Benefits” program.
“It’s fantastic,” notes Mike Macone, Manager at Papa Gino’s, who has been selling pizza in the Park on Friday nights during the Festival. “It’s a great opportunity for us to not only make money, but also to get a lot of community exposure.”
Papa Gino’s is also participating in the Button Benefits program, offering a coupon for a free slice of pizza to all Button purchasers. Over two dozen local businesses are also participating, offering a wide variety of free and discounted food, entertainment, merchandise and services.
The Button program has always been successful, but this year’s Button sales have been especially brisk, exceeding last year’s record totals in the very first week of the Festival. Aaron Wensley, Marketing Manager at the Chamber, attributes the sharp uptick in Button sales to the addition of “Instant Benefits” to the program.
“In past years, you’ve had to wear the Button around town in order to access the Benefits,” comments Wensley, “and that’s been a bit of a negative for some people, who either forget to wear their Button, lose it, or simply don’t like wearing it. The idea behind the Instant Benefits was to give people coupons and Gift Cards - things that they’re much more comfortable with, and more accustomed to using – and to give people enough value that it made the purchase of a $10 Festival Button purchase a no-brainer.”
“Unlike other major Festivals in the seacoast, we don’t force people to contribute when they arrive to our ‘free’ shows,” commented Schuman. “However, we think the Button Program is an incredible way to support the Festival. Your $10 button gets you over $300 worth of value - it’s a great way to help the Chamber cover the costs of bringing you over 30 free musical performances every summer.”
“It’s been great,” says Dover Bowl owner Mark Bowen, whose Instant Benefit is a $10 Gift Card to his Central Avenue bowling center. “People started redeeming the coupons almost immediately, so it’s clear that the Buttons are helping to drive customers through the door.”
Dover Bowl also took advantage of the opportunity to sponsor a Tuesday Children’s Series event, during which they offered the audience an afternoon of free bowling.
“We really appreciate how creative the people at the Chamber are when it comes to promoting member businesses,” remarks Bowen. “No matter what the event, they really go out of their way to make sure you get some bang for your sponsorship buck, as opposed to just a thank you letter or a logo on the back of a program. It makes a huge difference.”
“We’re constantly looking to pair member businesses and non-profits with opportunities that really fit,” acknowledges Schuman, adding, “It doesn’t make sense for us to just go around with our hand out, when we can instead offer members something truly valuable in exchange for their participation.”
Photo caption: Livingston Taylor drew 10,000 people to the Cochecho Arts Festival on the 4th of July (Courtesy photo)

Garrison Players to Hold Auditions for Crimes of the Heart

ROLLINSFORD—
Garrison Players will hold auditions for its October show, Beth Henley’s “Crimes of the Heart,” on Wednesday, Aug. 11and Thursday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Garrison Players Arts Center, Route 4 in Rollinsford. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. There are roles for two adult males and four adult females. The play will be directed by Debra Martuscello Wiley. Performance dates are Oct. 22-24, and 29-31.
This Pulitzer Prize-winner is a deeply touching and funny play about three eccentric sisters from a small Southern town rocked by scandal when Babe, the youngest, shoots her husband. Humor and pathos abound as the sisters unite with an intense young lawyer to save Babe from a murder charge, and overcome their family’s painful past. 
 Garrison Players is a nonprofit, volunteer-based community theatre group dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the area by presenting high-quality theatrical performances geared for family audiences. Established in 1953, the players encourage people of all ages to enjoy and participate in the many facets of the performing arts; and to help maintain the new Garrison Players Community Arts Center. For more information about garrison Players or this audition, call 603-516-4919 or e-mail info@garrisonplayers.org. Visit the website at www.garrisonplayers.org.

Apple Harvest Day Vendor Space Available

DOVER —
Apple Harvest Day was first organized in 1984 by a small group of downtown merchants. In 1987, with the formation of the Downtown Dover Business Department, the event became a Chamber function. In the early 1980’s, the City of Dover took advantage of a federal Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) given to the city for renewal of the urban core. Apple Harvest Day was designed to celebrate the revitalization of downtown Dover and to attract people into the redeveloped downtown business district.
“Although 26 years have passed, we’re really still celebrating Dover’s revitalization today, as most Dover residents would agree that our City as a whole has really flourished in recent years. This is evident not only in the improvements in the downtown area, but also in the growth of the Weeks Crossing and Indian Brook Drive development areas, and the expansion in Dover’s industrial parks as well,” notes Chamber executive Director Kirt Schuman. “With a thriving downtown,” he adds, “all local businesses are given a boost, and the more events like Apple Harvest Day that we can use to showcase our City and attract new businesses, residents and tourists, the more Dover becomes a destination, The Family Capital of the Seacoast, in the minds of those from neighboring cities and states.”
Vendors at Apple Harvest Day were originally located only along Central Avenue. Over the years, however, the event has expanded into Henry Law Park and now attracts over 35,000 people and 300 vendors into downtown Dover on the first Saturday in October, which this year falls on Oct. 2nd. This year’s Festival is underwritten by Federal Savings Bank.
To celebrate Dover’s annual autumn event, the 2010 Festival will feature new pavilions, an even greater array of entertainment options than ever before, including the 2nd running of the Apple Harvest Day 5K Road Race, underwritten by PainCare and Salmon Falls Family Health through the downtown area on Saturday morning and a completely revised and family friendly amusement zone in Henry Law Park.
The Apple Harvest Day Committee is also creating some new exhibiting and performance opportunities this year to try to broaden the appeal of the event. A “Green Marketplace” has been added, which will enable environmentally and socially conscious businesses to highlight those aspects of their organizations. Similarly, a “Made in NH” pavilion will feature crafts and products made here in New Hampshire. Additionally, a north end entertainment stage has been added. Also new this year is the “Seacoast Chef’s Challenge” which we feature local chefs facing off in an Apple Themed cooking competition.
Indeed, it appears that seacoast area residents can expect more entertainment, attractions and surprises than ever at this year’s Apple Harvest Day celebration, where there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.
The Festival Committee is now accepting applications for vendors. FMI: www.dovernh.org or (603) 742-2218.
Photo caption: Vendors needed for Apple Harvest Day scheduled for October 2, 2010 (Courtesy photo)

Zebra Crossings Moves into McConnell Center

DOVER—
Zebra Crossings will be moving into the McConnell Community Center in Dover. “We are extremely excited about this opportunity to join the community,” says Astrid Wielens, the organization’s Executive Director. “Zebra Crossings was founded in 2009 and provides programs for children with a chronic health condition and their family. Programs allow these children to explore what they are capable achieving, gain a sense of independence, but also share common struggles. We would like for families to generate relationships with other children and adults who understand exactly what they are dealing with on a daily basis. When a child has a chronic health condition, it affects the entire family in so many ways.”
“Now that the foundation for the organization has been laid, it is time for us to become more present in the community and increase our visibility. The opportunities to meet and welcome families at the McConnell Center were a great draw, as well as the potential to formalize partnerships with other organizations,” says Wielens. “It is a perfect location for Zebra Crossings to find its home at the McConnell Center and connect with other organizations whose goal is to serve families.”
As a startup nonprofit organization, Zebra Crossings was not ready to invest in renovating its own space and Gary Bannon, McConnell Center Administrator, referred them to HUB Family Resource Center, which currently sublets one of its spaces to other small nonprofits. Greg Burdwood, Executive Director for the HUB, is pleased with the new tenant. “The Center is focused on creating a collaborative environment for community-based non-profits, government, schools and volunteers. Zebra Crossings provides an important new service in the community,” he said.
Gary Bannon, who serves as the Director of the Dover Recreation Department as well as the building administrator, explains that the McConnell Center operates as a facility that is owned and managed by the City of Dover. He says, “the unique model that we have is the partnership with other various government agencies and non profit organizations whose goals are to create a collaborative environment, balance opportunities and services to meet the interest and needs of area residents and foster creative partnerships”.
Other organizations that are based at the McConnell Center include the Dover Children’s Center, Dover Human Services, Dover Police Outreach, Dover Recreation Department, Dover Senior Center, Easter Seals of NH, The HUB Family Resource Center, Seacoast Hospice, Strafford County CAP, UNH Social Work Outreach Center, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital: Pete’s Place, Dover Adult Learning Center of Strafford County, Dover School Department, CASA of NH and Becket Family of Services.
Zebra Crossings provides a broad range of day and overnight programs for children with a chronic health condition throughout the year. Programs started mid March of 2010 and are currently available to youth and teens with moderate to severe asthma, heart conditions, diabetes and epilepsy or seizure disorder. Programs will be held at various locations in the Seacoast region with opportunities to organize events elsewhere in the state. Activities include recreational activities at each event, such as art projects, sport and group games, climbing wall or ropes course, kayaking, etc. In 2011, the goal is to expand programming to also include a broader range of health conditions and to facilitate family and sibling retreats as well.
Families interested in learning more about Zebra Crossings programs may contact Zebra Crossings at 603-749-0308 or info@zebra-crossings.org.

Breast MRI Provides Advanced Imaging Technology Locally

ROCHESTER—
Frisbie Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the availability of Breast MRI Imaging Service. Breast MRI is a highly sophisticated and sensitive method of detecting breast cancer that enhances breast cancer detection currently provided by conventional breast mammography or targeted breast ultrasound evaluations. Breast MRI adds to the comprehensive service Frisbie, in conjunction with Women’s Life Imaging, currently provides in the detection, management, and surgical treatment of breast cancer.
In addition, there is approved use of breast MRI for select patients with strong personal or familial history of breast cancer (details of which can be provided by consulting your primary care physician or Seacoast Radiology physicians), or certain gene mutations that are predisposing toward development of breast cancer. For more information on breast MRI examinations and scheduling, please contact Frisbie Memorial Hospital Radiology Department at (603) 335-8400.

Former Berwick Academy Headmaster Turns 100

SOUTH BERWICK—
Approximately 150 friends, family and former students gathered at the Commons at Berwick Academy on Thursday, July 8 to celebrate Mr. Stuart Chaplin’s 100th birthday.
Guests joined Mr. Chaplin for a luncheon and tours of the Academy’s buildings, given by Rachel Saliba, BA’s Archivist.
At the luncheon program, Jedd Whitlock, BA’s Director of Advancement, introduced each speaker beginning with Rev. Donna Muise of the First Parish Federated Church in South Berwick where Mr. Chaplin is a parishioner.
Following lunch, Greg Schneider, the Academy’s Head of School spoke about Mr. Chaplin’s positive affect on his students over the years, many of who were in attendance. Greg also thanked Mr. Chaplin for providing mentorship to him as head of the Academy, more than fifty years following Mr. Chaplin’s tenure, which began in 1950 and ended in 1956.
Greg also presented Mr. Chaplin with several letters containing birthday wishes from Maine’s Governor Baldacci and President and Michelle Obama.
Greg played a jazz selection on the saxophone before presenting Mr. Chaplin with a framed print of Fogg Memorial as well as a framed photograph of Mr. Chaplin, which will be hung in Fogg outside of his former office.
Other speakers included Sally Knowlton Carmichael, BA Class of 1954, who spoke about the close relationship between Mr. Chaplin and her class, evidenced by their monthly lunches at Fogarty’s restaurant in South Berwick. Sally also described the tribute to Mr. Chaplin from the Class of 1954, a granite bench inscribed with his name, which sits in front of the 1791 House on the Academy’s campus.
Mr. Chaplin spoke briefly but left the bulk of the speaking to his daughter, Kera Ashline. Kera thanked many of the guests by name, including neighbors, South Berwick Community Center volunteers, former high school students from Newport, Maine, as well as the BA Class of 1954. “People say it takes a village to raise a child,” Kera said. “It also takes a village to care for a senior citizen.” She mentioned how touched her father is by all of the people who care about him every day.
Additional musical performances included Joseph “Ducky” Scanlon who sang “God Bless America,” and BA faculty member Tim Platt accompanied by BA Business Manager Seth A. Hurd ’90 on the keyboard leading the BA school song “Long Live Berwick, Long Live BA!”
Photo caption: Berwick Academy Head of School Greg Schneider congratulates former Headmaster Stuart Chaplin at his 100th birthday celebration. (Courtesy photo)

Mounted Patrol Visits Wentworth Home

DOVER—
Officers Joe Caproni on Monty and Officer Ben Lilyestrom. on TJ delighted residents of Wentworth Home. The officers gave residents detailed information about each of the horses and what their work is like in the City of Dover. Residents truly appreciated the visit and are grateful to the City of Dover for keeping the Mounted Patrol in Dover.
Wentworth Home is retirement living in a supportive residential environment, ideal for seniors. Wentworth Home offers Independent, Assisted and Added Care Services. For information regarding Wentworth Home please call Darlene Smith at 603-742-7406 or visit www.wentworthhome.org.
Photo caption: Officer Joe Caproni on Monty and Officer Ben Lilyestrom on TJ with residents of Wentworth Home. (Courtesy photo)

Legislation that Helps Small Businesses Passes U.S. House

WASHINGTON, D.C.—
Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter voted in favor of legislation that will help small businesses grow and prosper. The Small Business Jobs and Credit Act (H.R. 5297), which passed the House on June 16, will help provide loans to small businesses by increasing funding to small and medium sized community banks. The Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act (H.R. 5486), which passed the House on June 15, will provide important tax incentives to small businesses, which will help create jobs.
“Over the past 15 years, small businesses have been responsible for two-thirds of all new jobs,” said Congresswoman Shea-Porter. “Small businesses are the foundation of our economy, and these two bills will help provide small business owners with loans and tax breaks.
The Small Business Lending Fund will create jobs through a new $30 billion lending fund for small and medium sized community banks ($10 billion or under) that could leverage up to $300 billion in lending.
The Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act will increase capital gains tax cuts for individuals who invest in small businesses this year, fix a disclosure penalty that disproportionately impacts small businesses, and increases the dedication for business start-up expenditures.

Yankee Magazine’s Edie Clark Presents “Baked Beans and Fried Clams – How Food Defines a Region”

By Candi Enman
Staff Columnist
ROCHESTER –
Johnny Cakes, Baked Beans, Yankee Pot Roast and Lobster Pie – all classic New England recipes. For many these traditional foods always remind us of “home.”
New Hampshire writer and long time Yankee Magazine columnist, Edie Clark, was the guest speaker at a recent June 28th Day Out program hosted by The Homemakers Health Services. The event, held at the Elks Lodge and free to the public, was made possible by a Humanities To Go! grant from the New Hampshire Humanities Council.
Clark spoke about the food and recipes that are unique to New England. “We have an emotional bond with food and we place ourselves on the planet with our taste buds,” said Clark. She went on to talk about the individuals who pioneered and inspired New England cooking.
Fannie Farmer was born in 1857 in Medford, Mass., the oldest of four daughters. She suffered a stroke at the age of 16, leaving her unable to walk or continue her education. While in her parent’s care at home, she eventually took up cooking.
Years later, walking but with a limp, Fannie enrolled in the Boston Cooking School where she trained until 1889 during the height of the domestic science movement. She became a scholar in the field of cooking and published her most well-known work, “The Boston-Cooking School Cook Book” in 1896.
In the cookbook Farmer explained the scientific chemical processes that occur in food during cooking and helped to standardize the system of measurements used in cooking in our country today. The terms a “pinch,” a “glub,” and “a piece of butter the size of an egg” were replaced with measured levels such as a tablespoonful, a teaspoonful or a cupful. Now simply known as “The Fannie Farmer Cookbook,” it is still popular and available in print over 100 years later.
Originally from Pasadena, Cal., Julia Child came to New England to attend Smith College in Northhampton, Mass. where she graduated in 1934 with a B.A. in History. She was fired from her first job for insubordination.
She married her husband, Paul Child, in 1946 at the end of World War II. Paul was employed by the US State Department and his work brought the couple to Paris in 1948.
In an effort to satisfy Paul’s gourmet palate, Julia enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School to learn fine French cooking. And learn she did, eventually publishing her book, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” in 1961.
Julia’s culinary talent, cheery enthusiasm and distinct voice caught the attention of WGBH-TV in Boston and the popular educational program, “The French Chef” was launched in 1963. Child went on to become a national cooking celebrity. The set of “The French Chef” is now on display at The Smithsonian Museum.
Between Farmer and Child was a nature writer by the name of Haydn S. Pearson. Referred to as “the authentic New England countryman,” Pearson was passionate about food and home, which led him to write 13 books about food and nature.
Pearson’s personal collection of recipes was featured in his book, “The Country Flavor Cookbook” that was published in 1956. Consisting of 222 old-time recipes that evoke the warmth of New England kitchens and cooking, Pearson’s message was about using what you had on hand and making it appealing. One of his favorite recipes, for Fried Corn Meal Mush, is today enjoyed as Polenta or Grits. Pearson continued to write, penning four more books about food, nature and home.
“Foods can take us home faster than any jetliner,” said Clark at the close of her presentation. “No matter where we go, the smells and tastes of certain foods can bring us right back to our New England roots.”
Edie Clark has written extensively about New England over the last 30 years and has won awards for her feature stories in ”Yankee Magazine.” Her column, ”Mary’s Farm,” has been a popular feature in ”Yankee” since 1990. A collection of her essays, ”Saturday Beans and Sunday Suppers, Kitchen Stories from Mary’s Farm,” was published last year. A new edition of her memoir, ”The Place He Made,” has just been published. This and her other books are available on www.edieclark.com.
The New Hampshire Humanities Council’s Humanities To Go! programs are offered to connect community members with New Hampshire culture. For more information about the 250 programs and exhibits available to organizations statewide, call the Concord offices at (603) 224-4071 or visit www.nhhc.org.
Photo caption: Edie Clark (Courtesy photo)

90th Anniversary Celebration of John Paul Jones House Opening

PORTSMOUTH —
On July 15, 1920 the public opening of the John Paul Jones House was announced as a museum belonging to the Portsmouth Historical Society. While not the first historic house museum to open in Portsmouth, it was the first (and still the only) of Portsmouth sites to include the entire history of the city and the first to be run by local people. From the beginning, the focus was on collecting local objects and telling local stories. Ninety years later we have expanded into the Discover Portsmouth Center, and our focus on the history of Portsmouth and its many stories remains as strong as ever.
On Thursday, July 15, 2010 you can tour the John Paul Jones House, located at 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, for the same amount charge in 1920—25 cents. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tours are self-guided. We will be giving gallery talks continuously on that day for those who would like a more detailed tour. Special exhibits this season include “Brooches, Caps and Collars: Adornment in Portsmouth Portraits 1800-1860,” “90 Years of telling Portsmouth Stories” and “An Uncommon Commitment to Peace: the Portsmouth Peace Treaty of 1905.” You can also view are wonderful sampler collection now housed in new “visible storage.” Our extensive ceramics collection has been reorganized and more attractively displayed. Even if you have visited recently, you will find many changes this season; and if you have not been here since you were in the fourth grade, you will find a very different museum. However, you will find some of your favorite objects still on display. The 18th century wooden bathtub, loaned in 1920 by Woodbury Langdon, has returned. The opening day article in the Herald described this as “in the house in Revolutionary times.” You can also view the “oldest piano in America,” a piano said to have come from the Longfellow House in Portland and an 1820’s Babcock piano—all three arrived in our first week of collecting objects of interest for Portsmouth history! And, of course, the famous collection of canes is still here.
Following our regular hours we will feature an old-fashioned Garden Party from 5 to 7 PM in our garden with refreshments, house tours and a guest appearance by the Leftist Marching Band. Tickets for the Garden Party are $10 (children free). Proceeds support the garden and our ongoing painting projects. Tickets for the Garden Party may be purchased in advance at the John Paul Jones House or the Discover Portsmouth Center or at the gate on the evening of July 15.
The Discover Portsmouth Center is open daily from 10-5 and the John Paul Jones House daily from 11-5 through October 31. For more information call 603 436-8420 or email info@portsmouthhistory.org.
Photo caption: John Paul Jones House with balloons for the anniversary (Courtesy photos)

“Portals to the Past” Vintage Photographs on Exhibit

ROLLINSFORD —
On Sunday, July 11 from 1-4 PM, the Colonel Paul Wentworth House will host a special exhibition of vintage nineteenth-century photographs from the collection of local historian and Association for Rollinsford Culture and History member, Christopher Benedetto. The historic Wentworth House located at 47 Water Street in Rollinsford, will also be open for its regular Sunday afternoon tours during these hours.
Visitors will have the opportunity to view and learn about these unique and precious “portals to the past” which were discovered in antique stores and on the internet over the past decade. Included in the display will be examples of three kinds of early photographs: Daguerreotypes which originated in Europe about 1839, ambrotypes which developed during the 1850s, and carte de visites (CDVs) which burst on the scene in 1860 and arguably became the “Facebook” of their time. CDV’s were often printed with the photographer’s name and address on the reverse, thus serving as an early form of advertising and providing collectors with invaluable information today. Some images were also inscribed with the identity of the person in the image, making them even more valuable and historically significant. .
Benedetto’s collection includes dozens of images from New England, with a focus on New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. Of special interest is the very rare image of a local Union Army officer taken in Salmon Falls village sometime during the Civil War, which was recently purchased from a dealer in Connecticut. While the man in the photo has not yet been identified, it’s hoped that someone in the local area may be able shed some light on this mystery! Admission is free and all are welcome. For directions or more information about the house, please visit our website at www.paulwentworthhouse.com.
Photo caption: A special exhibition of vintage nineteenth-century photographs from the collection of local historian and Association for Rollinsford Culture and History member, Christopher Benedetto will be on diplay at the Colonel Paul Wentworth House. (Courtesy photo)

Community Comes Together To Keep Dover Swimming Pools Open

By Candi Enman
Staff Columnist
DOVER—
When the Dover City Council, in its efforts to finalize the 2011 city budget, began talks this past spring about the possibility of having to close the city’s swimming pools due to a $400,000 shortfall, it didn’t rest well with local swimmers. The news resulted in a community led movement to keep the city’s two pools - the Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool on Route 4 and the Indoor Pool at Henry Law Park – open this year and for years to come.
Dover pools are open all year long, seven days a week. “Pool users comprise a broad group, some who come to do laps, for hydrotherapy or for swimming lessons, swim teams and master swimmers; as well as kids who come for summer camps and school field trips,” said Gary Bannon, Dover’s Recreation Director.
The Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool is the only 50-meter competition pool in the region. Stressing the importance of keeping the pools open, Bannon added, “The pools are a regional draw. They bring people into Dover who also use local services, retailers and restaurants.”
Bannon went on to say, “The city has $4.7 million in assets in these aquatic facilities. To close them would be a loss.”
Dover resident, Terrianne Chambers, swims at the Indoor Pool four days a week. “I began swimming after recovering from an illness,” said Chambers. “Physical health brings a healthy mental state. For me, swimming is as important as breathing, walking and eating.” With her restored health Chambers is currently training for an upcoming triathlon, an endurance competition that involves swimming, cycling and running.
Seacoast Swimming Association is the largest customer of the Dover pools. The association rents aquatic hours at both pools, which serve as the host facilities for the nationally registered swim team. As many as 120 seacoast area swimmers, aged 5 to 26, depend on the Dover pools to practice, train and compete.
The threat of closing the pools became an opportunity. SSA President, Tim Paiva, said “We needed to mobilize to ensure that the pools will still be available for us and open to the public as well.” A meeting of the SSA parents group was held to discuss viable solutions, and Dawn Haines, mother of a 14-year old swimmer, stepped up to lead the effort.
Haines set out to get community support and brought together a cross-section of all stakeholders and pool users. The group, calling themselves Save Our Swimming, got right to work to develop a comprehensive business plan to present to City Council.
Save our Swimming was determined to look at everything reasonably possible to help the city find ways to reduce operating expenses and increase revenues. Discussions also focused on awareness events, fundraisers and grants. One supporter, Peter Markos, donated an initial $5,000 to establish an endowment fund.
On Wednesday, May 26th hundreds of swimmers and pool supporters marched from the Jenny Thompson Pool to City Council chambers to attend the public hearing on the issue. Olympic medalist Jenny Thompson herself, namesake of the outdoor pool, came back to Dover to participate in the march.
City Council members liked what they saw and heard. Community members, city staff and the council saw a partnership opportunity to keep the pools open for the long term. The council voted on June 2nd to save the pools for the next 12 months, with help from Save our Swimming.
At its recent June 23rd meeting, the council adopted a resolution to form an official Pool Advisory Committee that would oversee donated funds and pool policies, and make recommendations to the city. The committee, consisting of seven regular and two alternates, will meet regularly and report to City Council. A member of the council will serve as a liaison to the group.
“We thought we needed to fight city hall,” commented Haines. “We realized they didn’t want to close the pools and that we needed to help them. The real work begins now,” Haines added.
Remarking on the work of Save our Swimming, Ward 6 City Councilor, Gina Cruikshank, said, “when I learned the details and how they were approaching possible solutions, it convinced me that they could help close the budget gap.” Cruikshank continued, “Theirs is a commitment you don’t often see, and that’s the difference between a city and a community.”
Access to the city’s pools is not limited to Dover residents. Community members from throughout the region are welcome and encouraged to take advantage of the recreational resources available to them. To attract more swimmers, fee structures and rental rates have been lowered to make access affordable to more users.
Seacoast swimmers who want to learn more or get involved with Save our Swimming to keep the pools open for future generations may contact Dawn Haines by email at dawn.haines@unh.edu.
For more information about the Dover pools including hours, rates, lessons and schedules, visit www.dover.nh.gov/rechome.htm or call (603) 516-6441.
Photo caption: Swimmers dive in at the Jenny Thompson Pool in Dover. (Courtesy photo)

Helping to Keep Old Ironsides Shipshape

By Larry Favinger
Staff Columnist
SOUTH BERWICK—
For two-and-a-half years a South Berwick man fought the commuter traffic to and from Charlestown, Mass, five days a week to work on a piece of United States history.
Sunday (July 4), Barry Person and a host of others will sail out of Boston Harbor as part of the USS Constitution, the Navy’s oldest commissioned warship.
“It was a bit of a challenge but really exciting,” Person said in a telephone interview from his South Berwick farm.
Person’s work was part of a three-year project to refurbish the renowned Old Ironsides, a project that should come to a close in November. The work was done partly to ready the ship for the centennial celebration of the War of 1812. It was during that conflict that the Constitution earned her nickname.
The Constitution gained fame in August of 1812, when under the command of Connecticut native Isaac Hull she met and defeated the HMS Guerrier. English shots bounced off the Constitution’s thick oak sides, thus gaining her name while she was destroying the enemy ship.
Hull went on to a distinguished Naval career including becoming the commander of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1813 and building Quarters A at the yard, a building which still stands and is the oldest structure at the yard.
Each year the Constitution goes on a turnaround cruise from her berth in Charlestown which allows her to remain a commissioned Navy vessel and allows each side of her to face outward during the year.
“I never did any service,” Person said of not being involved with the military, “but it felt like that is what I was doing” while working on the ship.
Person was part of the Naval Historical Center, Detachment Boston, Department of Defense, which was charged with the refurbishing.
Person said it was a “temporary, fulltime position” which meant when “the time frame ended you left.”
Upon his arrival with the first group of additional carpenters hired he said he did “odds and ends” as they awaited the arrival of the necessary materials.
One of the first things Person did was replace the two “cat heads on the ship.”
The cathead is a large beam located on either bow of the ship, angled outward. It is used to support the ship’s anchor when raising or lowering it, keeping it away from the sides of the wooden vessel.
Person said large equipment was needed to put these in place as they weighed in at about 2,300 pounds each.
It was a common practice to carve the projecting end of the beam to resemble the face of a cat.
Once that was accomplished he helped the entire crew replace the spar deck of the ship, the first level when visitors come on board the ship.
After that, he said, “they moved me around to different places” including a project to foremast in the front of the ship.
He has done historic restoration of old houses and barns and learned of the project while doing a barn repair for the late Joseph Frost of Eliot. He applied and was among the initial group of carpenters hired. More was added later in the project, he said.
While not working on historic ships Person said he “loves to farm” and “loves raising pigs. I’ve been doing that since I was a kid.”
He combines his love of farming and historic restoration doing work with the New Hampshire Farm Museum in Milton repairing buildings to their original configurations.
Originally from the Midwest, Person came to New England in the summer of 1987 and has remained ever since.
He is married to Julie Person, a guidance councilor at the Rollinsford Elementary School, and the couple has two children, Madison, 8 and Baylor, 10.
Person said the time spent on the job “took a toll on everybody” in his family. The drive took between 50 minutes and an hour each day. He was up and out early every day performing farm chores before leaving for work. He was there between 5:45 and 6 each morning, returning home in late afternoon.
In addition to his farming Person also does wood carvings, especially large herons. His work is available in galleries including the N.W. Barrett Gallery on Market Street in Portsmouth.
Photo caption: A South Berwick resident has spent the past two-and-a-half years helping to restore the USS Constitution. (en.wikipedia.org photo)

Dover 4th of July Celebration

DOVER—
Enjoy a full day of family entertainment, including the City’s annual fireworks display. The day will begin with an authentic-costumed historic re-enactment of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of City Hall at 11 a.m., followed by a Patriotic-themed Children’s performance by local storyteller, puppeteer and musician Marcus Gale at the Rotary Arts Pavilion beginning at 1 p.m. Following the Children’s Show will be a Gundalow Race on the Cochecho River. Families may purchase small wooden Gundalows and participate in the race, with prizes being awarded to the owners of the winning Gundalows. The proceeds from this event will benefit the Historic Gundalow, which will be on site throughout the day, affording people a chance to step aboard and learn about the role that the Gundalow played in Dover Mills commerce during the 1800’s. As the Gundalow race concludes, there will be a series of musical performances at the Pavilion, featuring Mike Morris at 3 p.m., followed by the Dan Walker Band at 4:15 p.m., and the day’s headline performance by Livingston Taylor beginning at 7 p.m., and concluding with the City fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Throughout the day, there will also be a variety of additional events, displays, vendors and demonstrations, including a kayaking exhibition, a firefighter’s Touch-A-Truck Exhibit, food and refreshments.