Annual Wentworth Marina Striped Bass Tournament Returns

NEW CASTLE—

The fourth annual Wentworth Marina Striped Bass Tournament for Kids returns June 12, with a brand new category for entrants. The alumni category now allows anyone who fished in any previous Striped Bass Tournament as a youth entrant to participate in this year’s tournament.
The popular catch and release fishing tournament for Striped Bass added a Mackerel division in 2009 to increase the opportunity for success for its youngest participants. Fishing begins at sunrise Sunday, June 12, and concludes with an awards ceremony and entertainment on the Marina docks by 2 p.m. Registration is limited to the first 100 entrants. Thirty-five spots will be available on a Tournament vessel for Mackerel Fishing, on a first come, first serve basis.
Organized and managed by the Little Harbor Charitable Foundation Board, each year the Tournament supports a designated beneficiary organization in service to children and youth on the Seacoast.
This year, Tournament proceeds will build upon the success of a 2010 initiative to expand development and delivery of enrichment service programs and opportunities for children and families living at Cross Roads House and the Portsmouth Housing Authority.
Lead sponsor Mercedes-Benz is joined once again by a number of returning organizations, including Holloway Automotive, WMUR-TV 9, Wentworth Marina, Pro-Mariner, Mark and Eva Stern Foundation, Clear Channel, Bid2Win Software, Inc., Construction Services of NH, Center for Assessment, Actio Corporation, Seacoast Media Group, and many others.
Little Harbor Charitable Foundation is credited with gifting over 57 programs and raising over $1.5 million dollars in support for Seacoast area organizations since 1997.
Sponsor funds, 100% of which is annually channeled directly to the designated beneficiary organization, have subsequently assisted thousands of children with basic health, welfare, education services and crisis care in addition to stimulating interest in and access to the arts and personal enrichment opportunities.
Please visit www.stripertournament.com for additional information and your application.
Photo caption: Pictured is a participant in the original Wentworth Marina Striped Bass Tournament in 2008. The event, now its fourth year, will take place on June 12. (Photo courtesy www.lhcfonline.com)

Museums Open Free to the Public in the Piscataqua Region

PORTSMOUTH/
SOUTH BERWICK, ME—
For over one hundred years, Historic New England has served as the region’s storyteller, opening its doors to share four centuries of New England home and family life. On Saturday, June 4, Historic New England celebrates the 2011 season opening of their historic house museums by welcoming visitors free of charge. Come hear about the people and stories of coastal New Hampshire and Maine as you tour through houses that range from the c.1664 Jackson House in Portsmouth, NH, which chronicles the evolution of rural life over three centuries, to the majestic Colonial Revival interiors of the Hamilton House of South Berwick, ME. Six of Historic New England’s Piscataqua Region museums will offer tours beginning at 11 a.m. and the last tour will start at 4 p.m.
In Exeter, visitors will be welcomed to Historic New England’s Gilman Garrison, 12 Water Street. John Gilman’s 1709 “Logg house by the bridge” was gentrified by his son with a finely ornamented addition c.1770. The interior was restored in the 1950s by direct descendant William Dudley, who opened the house to the public as a private museum.
In Portsmouth, visitors are invited to experience three of Historic New England’s houses. The Rundlet-May House, at 364 Middle Street, is a Federal-style mansion built by merchant James Rundlet in 1807. It is filled with most of its original locally crafted 19th century furniture and a variety of “modern” heating and cooking technologies. The formal garden at Rundlet-May blooms all spring and summer with fruit trees, trellised roses, fragrant peonies, abundant hollyhocks, and vibrant poppies, to name a few, all scattered along narrow pathways original to the 1812 garden plan that survives in the house. The c.1664 Jackson House, 76 Northwest Street, is the oldest surviving wood frame house in northern New England. Visitors at Jackson House will find themselves in the midst of an old two-acre apple orchard overlooking the North Mill Pond, the last surviving orchard in NH that still abuts tidal water. The 1784 Governor Langdon House, 143 Pleasant Street, home to John Langdon, a signer of the United States Constitution and three-term governor of New Hampshire, is considered to have the best interior carvings to be found north of Boston. The garden of the Governor Langdon House features a 180-foot rose and grape arbor as well as expansive lawns edged by a perennial border, and an intimate shade garden hidden among a stand of mature evergreens.
In South Berwick, the 1774 Sarah Orne Jewett House, 5 Portland Street is not to be missed. Set in the heart of downtown South Berwick, this special home is where the famous 19th century writer spent many years of her life. Visitors can pause in the wide hall on the second floor hallway, by the author’s desk, to look out the center window and imagine Jewett’s artistic inspiration. Also in South Berwick is the c.1785 Hamilton House, 40 Vaughn’s Lane, which was restored at the turn of the century into a romantic summer retreat that draws from the house’s Georgian design and colonial past. Surrounded by beautiful formal gardens, the Hamilton House sits on a high bluff overlooking the Salmon Falls River. The interior of the house displays the height of fashion for summer residences at the turn of the 20th century.
In all, thirty-one of Historic New England’s historic house museums will be open free of charge that day. For a full list of sites, please visit www.historicnewengland.org and click on Open House under the Events tab. While visiting Historic New England’s six Piscataqua region historic house museums, plan to check out several other nearby events. Taste the best area restaurants have to offer at the all-you-can-eat 27th annual Chowder Festival in Prescott Park (www.prescottpark.org). Immerse yourself in maritime fun at the free Piscataqua Waterfront Festival, presented by Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden (www.moffattladd.org). Discover the Kids’ Day Festival in downtown South Berwick (sbkidsday.blogspot.com) where free and low cost activities make for a great family-friendly day of games, crafts, a parade, touch-a-truck, free cotton candy, giveaways, and entertainment.
Photo caption: The 1784 Governor Langdon House in Portsmouth is one of the six Historic New England house museums in the Seacoast region that will be open and offering free admission on June 4. (Photo courtesy Historic New England)

Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses Celebrates Anniversary

NEW CASTLE—
This year, Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the organization’s founding as a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. The group will host the first open house of 2011 at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse in New Castle, NH, on May 29, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Visitors are invited to climb to the lantern room to enjoy the magnificent view at the mouth of the Piscataqua River and to see the 18th century lens up close. Volunteers will tell visitors about the history of the light station, and there will be souvenirs for sale.
There are 44 stairs and a 7-rung ladder to the lantern room. Flat shoes (not sandals or flip-flops) are strongly recommended to climb to the top.
No reservations are needed; the guided tours are on a first come, first served basis. Children under 42 inches tall are not permitted to climb to the top, and adults are not permitted to carry children up the stairs.
The admission fee to climb the lighthouse is $4 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. Visitors should park outside the gate to Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor and walk to the lighthouse. For more information, visit www.portsmouthharborlighthouse.org.
Photo caption: Friends of the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses will host the first open house of 2011 at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse on May 29. (Courtesy photo)

Seacoast Science Center Participates in Blue Star Museums Program

RYE—
The Seacoast Science Center announces its participation in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, where more than 1,300 museums across America will offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2011.
Blue Star Museums recognizes and thanks our military families for all they are doing for our country, and simultaneously begins young people on a path to becoming life-long museum-goers.
“We are proud to participate in the Blue Star Museums initiative and to honor military families in our community and across the country,” said Seacoast Science Center Marketing Director Karen Provazza. “The initiative will bring families together, connecting them to the natural history and beauty of New Hampshire’s seacoast.”
“Last year the success of the inaugural year of the Blue Star Museums program showed that partnerships between the nation’s museum and military communities are a natural,” said Blue Star Families Chairman Kathy Roth-Douquet. “We are thrilled that 300,000 military family members visited our partner museums in the summer of 2010. We hope to exceed that number this year as the military community takes advantage of the rich cultural heritage they defend and protect every day. We appreciate the NEA and the nation’s museums who chose to partner with us. We also are grateful to our friends at the MetLife Foundation, the lead supporter of the Blue Star Museums outreach initiative, whose generous donation helps make our work possible.”
Blue Star Museums runs from May 30, 2011 through to September 5, 2011. The free admission program is available to active-duty military and their immediate family members (military ID holder and five immediate family members). Active duty military include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and active duty National Guard and active duty Reserve members. To find out which other museums are participating, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. The site includes a list of participating museums and a map to help with visit planning.
The Seacoast Science Center is open daily, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. A separate admission applies to Odiorne Point State Park. To learn more about the Center visit www.seacoastsciencecenter.org or call 603-436-8043.
Photo caption: Seacoast Science Center recently announced its participation in the Blue Star Museums program, which begins this Memorial Day. (Photo courtesy www.seacoastsciencecenter.org)

St. Thomas Aquinas High School Announces Top Ten Graduates

DOVER—
St. Thomas Aquinas High School of Dover, NH is pleased to announce the 2011 top ten graduates and offer congratulations to them and their families. Following the Valedictorian and Salutatorian, the top graduates are listed in alphabetical order.
Anna Whitham, Class of 2011 Valedictorian, is the daughter of Kimberley Herzig-Whitham and Owen Whitham of Stratham, NH. Prior to coming to St. Thomas, Anna attended the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham. At St. Thomas, Anna earned departmental honors from the Theology Department and from the Chemistry Department; she was inducted into the National Honor Society and the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica as a sophomore. She has also been recognized for perfect attendance. Anna’s numerous contributions to St. Thomas include membership in the jazz band, the student tutorial program, as a member of the Spanish Club, and leadership within the Granite State Challenge Team.
Outside of her school community, Anna has volunteered for seven years at the Wiggin Memorial Library in Stratham, and for the last two years she has been a volunteer at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Her work at the hospital has solidified her interest in pursuing a medical degree. Anna has been accepted into the Honors Program at Boston College where she will major in Biochemistry.
Michael Fort, Class of 2011 Salutatorian, is the son of William and Susan Fort of Stratham, NH. Michael attended Sacred Heart School in Hampton, NH prior to coming to St. Thomas. Here at St. Thomas, Michael was the recipient of the Math and Latin Departmental Awards. Michael earned second place out of over one hundred seventy classmates in the Junior Class Speech competition. He was recognized as an Advance Placement Scholar with Honors and was the recipient of the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award. He is a member of the National Honor Society.
Michael earned his first varsity letters in soccer and lacrosse during his tenth grade year. He was a captain of the soccer team this past fall and was selected as the team’s most valuable player. He has been a member of the Seacoast United Soccer association for seven years where he has competed on several state championship teams as well as being a member of the US Soccer Association Development Academy. Michael has served Student Advisory Board since his ninth grade year and was elected Vice President this year. He was a member of the Granite State Challenge Team, which made it to the quarterfinals last fall. He was selected to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Association Camp over the summer following his sophomore year. Mike also volunteers at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
Michael is attending Syracuse University where he is enrolled in the Honors Program as a pre-med student. Michael aspires to pursue cardiac surgery and eventually work abroad with Doctors Without Borders.
Julia Dastous, of Salisbury, MA, is the daughter of David and Martha Dastous. Julia is a member of Star of the Sea Parish is Salisbury, MA. Julia attended Immaculate Conception School in Newburyport, MA before coming to St. Thomas.
Julia is a member of the National Honor Society as well as of the Spanish National Honor Society. Julia is a member of the Spanish Club and is a Student Ambassador.
Julia has been an invaluable asset to our athletic program here at St. Thomas. She plays field hockey, softball and basketball. She is also a member of the St. Thomas swim team. Julia earned her varsity letter in field hockey and in softball during her sophomore year. She earned her varsity letter in swimming as a junior. Julia has served as a captain for the softball team for both her junior and senior years. Julia was the recipient of the Scholar Athlete Award for varsity field hockey and softball.
Julia was accepted to Boston University, Stonehill College, University of Vermont, University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Bentley University, Union College and Northeastern University. Julia ultimately chose to attend Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. She is looking forward to exploring her many interests while keeping her family and friends close.
Nathan Dunn is the son of Bill and Gabrielle Dunn of Berwick, ME. Nathan attended Saint Elizabeth Seton in Rochester, NH prior to coming to St. Thomas and is parishioner of Holy Rosary Parish, also in Rochester.
For the past two summers, Nathan has participated in a project building a home for those less fortunate through the Habitat for Humanity organization. On both of these work weeks, Nathan took time off from work, with no pay, to volunteer his time to these projects.
Here at St. Thomas, Nathan is a valuable co-captain of the Math Team where he earned a certificate for outstanding performance in geometry. Nathan was the recipient of the Physics and Math Departmental Awards. Nathan participates in the Principals of Engineering course, which runs once per week after school hours.
Nathan is planning to attend University of Maine, Orono where he will study Chemical Engineering.
Sarah Gianino is the daughter of Paul and Lauren Gianino of Eliot, Maine. Sarah went to elementary and middle school at Saint Patrick School in Portsmouth, NH. She is an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Newington, NH where she serves as an usher and a greeter. Sarah regularly volunteers at Dover Friendly Kitchen. Sarah has traveled to New Orleans and Washington, D.C. to work on various community service projects with her church.
Sarah is a National Merit Commended Scholar and earned the Certificate of Academic Excellence in Spanish thorough the New Hampshire Association of World Language Teachers. She was the recipient of the Spanish Departmental Award. Sarah is a member of the National Honor Society and of the Spanish National Honor Society. Sarah studied Japanese Language and Culture in the Advanced Studies Program at St. Paul’s School this past summer.
Sarah is an invaluable member of the St. Thomas varsity cross country team and of the spring and indoor track teams. She was named an NHIAA scholar athlete and earned the Coach’s Award in cross country. Sarah is a member of Campus Ministry and is the Co-President of the Spanish Club. She is also a member of the Student Ambassador program. Sarah plays the flute and piano. She has been a member of the St. Thomas women’s choir and concert band. She is also active in dance.
Sarah plans to attend Boston College in the fall where she will study Biology and Psychology.
Melanie Guerin is from Hampton, NH and is the daughter of Nadine and Chaz Guerin. Melanie attended Hampton Academy prior to coming to St. Thomas. She was inducted into the National Honor Society during her junior year as well as the Latin National Honor Society. Melanie received the NH World Language Teachers Certificate of Academic Excellence in Latin and the Extracurricular Award for her involvement with the Model UN. During the summer of 2009, Melanie represented St. Thomas at the Rotary Youth Leadership Conference in Sanford, ME. She has contributed to her school community in numerous ways including serving as a Student Ambassador for open houses, visitations, and fundraisers, as well as by participating in the St. Ann Visitation Program.
Melanie has been recognized as a NH Scholar Athlete, lettering in both cross country and skiing.
Another major area of focus and accomplishment for Melanie has been as an equestrian. She has volunteered at the UNH Therapeutic Riding Program and has twice qualified for national participation in the Hunt Seat Equitation Division.
Melanie will attend Northeastern University and pursue majors in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering.
Pranjal Natu is the son of Drs. Vijay and Neeta Natu of Indore, India. Prior to coming to St. Thomas for his senior year, Pranjal attended the Sri Sathya Sai Viya Vihar in India, and Marshwood High School in South Berwick, ME. Pranjal has contributed remarkably while at St. Thomas. He was inducted into the National Honor Society, and has become an instrumental member of the Robotics, History, and International Clubs. Prior to coming to St. Thomas, Pranjal also participated as a dramatist at Marshwood, as well as participating on the Math and Recycling Clubs and the Yearbook Committee. He has been recognized also for his performances in both speech and creative writing competitions in both India and the United States.
Pranjal will pursue a degree in computer science at Stony Brook University on Long Island, NY in the fall.
John (Jack) Pearl is the son of Tim and Laura Pearl of Dover, NH. Before coming to St. Thomas, Jack was home-schooled for his 4th through 8th grade years. He is an active member of the Parish of the Assumption in Dover, where he has served as an altar server throughout his four years of high school.
At St. Thomas, Jack received the departmental award in math in 2008, and the University of Notre Dame Book Award in 2010. He was inducted into the National Honor Society and the Latin Honor Society during his junior year.
In recognition of his achievements in academics and athletics, Jack received the NHIAA & NHADA NH Scholar Athlete Award as well as the Scholar-Athlete Award from the Joe Yukica Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Jack earned three varsity letters in football, culminating in his selection his senior year of Team Captain and 1st Team All-State honors. In the spring, Jack turns his attention to lacrosse. He has earned four varsity letters, was an All-State selection his junior year, and was selected as Team Captain for both his junior and senior years.
Next fall Jack will attend the University Of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN on a 4-year United States Army Scholarship. He plans to major in mechanical engineering.
Ashley Puffer is the daughter of Lisa and Steve Puffer of Kittery, ME. Prior to coming to St. Thomas, Ashley attended St. Mary Academy in Dover, NH. She is active in her parish of St. Raphael’s in Kittery, ME.
Ashley is a member of the National Honor Society (elected during her junior year) and the Spanish National Honor Society. She was recognized by the English Department for achievement following both her 9th and 10th grade years. In her junior year, she was a finalist in the Junior Class Speech competition, and she received the St. Michael’s Book Award. In her senior year, Ashley finished first in the St. Thomas Poetry Out Loud competition, and was an alternate at the State competition. She has been a member of the varsity volleyball team at St. Thomas, and has participated in music ministry, chorus, and orchestra throughout her four years.
For the past eleven years, Ashley has studied violin, and she has been a member of the first violin section of the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra for the past three years. This winter Ashley was selected for the All-State Orchestra for the fourth time, and received the Four-Year Award in recognition of this accomplishment.
This fall Ashley will attend the University Of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN where she will major in English.
Matthew Strabone, of Hampton Falls, NH, is the son of Dan and Maryellen Strabone. Matt is active in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish in Hampton, and he attended Lincoln Ackerman School in Hampton Falls before coming to St. Thomas.
Matt has been inducted into the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society, and he has served as president of the Spanish Club at St. Thomas; he is also active in the Political Club and has pursued his interest in politics and law through a summer internship. In addition, Matt has been a recipient of the Varsity Scholar Athlete Award, participating in indoor and outdoor track.
Matt’s principal involvement outside of St. Thomas has been with the St. Vincent DePaul Society where he has volunteered throughout his high school career. He has delivered food packs, approached local merchants for donations, and has served at the St. Vincent’s soup kitchen.
In the fall Matt will begin his study at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management.
Photo caption: Anna Whitham of Stratham is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2011 at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover. (Courtesy photo)

June Conference to Feature Historic Isle of Shoals Resort Hotels

PORTSMOUTH—
History enthusiasts and others who’ve dreamt of spending a few days on the Isles of Shoals, six miles off the New Hampshire coast, will have the chance June 25-29 when the Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Association (ISHRA) hosts a five-day, four-night “Summer on the Seacoast” conference open to the public.
Those attending will journey back to the resort hotel era of the late 1800s, when the Oceanic Hotel on Star Island was built and gems like the Farragut Hotel in Rye graced the Seacoast. Speakers will include designer Robert Cook, Portsmouth Historical Society curator Sandra Rux and historian Bryant F. Tolles, Jr., author of “Summer by the Seaside.”
From a 19th-century cooking demonstration to a candlelit chapel service and an architectural walking tour of Star Island, conference guests will be immersed in the history of the Isles of Shoals. An optional side trip will visit neighboring Appledore Island, where poet Celia Thaxter and her family once presided over the now long-gone Appledore House hotel.
Conferees will stay in rustic yet comfortable accommodations in the Oceanic Hotel and surrounding buildings. Round-trip boat transportation is provided from Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon, June 25, returning midday Wednesday, June 29.
“You can relax in the rocking chairs on the Oceanic’s wrap-around porch and breathe the sea air just as the hotel’s first guests did in 1873,” says ISHRA president Joel Plagenz. Other activities include seaweed pressing, a digital photography workshop and a lecture by Steph Frigon on the natural environment of the Shoals.
Reservations are now being accepted while places remain available. For information visit ishra.org, email cook-amy@comcast.net or call (603) 431-2616.
Photo caption: The original Oceanic Hotel in 1873. (Courtesy photo)

Gen ‘X’ Messiah

By Chip Schrader
Book Review Editor
“Nazareth, North Dakota” is Tommy Zurhellen’s first novel that spans from 1980 to present day, and depicts the lives of common people in the barren northern mid-west. The story takes a biblical spin on the lifestyles of the lower middle class American community, which invites plenty of social and political comparisons while also allowing the author fodder for clever wordplay.
The novel follows Roxy, a down on her luck ex-waitress whose poor taste in men is nearly as tragic as her inability to meet a decent man. She finds herself in Cairo, Illinois, after a baby is dropped into her care, and another loser boyfriend runs off with legal problems. Her journey with this mysterious baby, Sam, leads her to Joe, a hard working and honest carpenter.
Back in North Dakota, her family manages through life by maneuvering around corrupt town police officer Severo Rodriguez. His business in illegal stills and penchant for throwing Molotov cocktails into outsiders’ vehicles reveal how badly this town is in need of salvation. Roxy’s nephew, Jan, preaches his evangelical shtick as his mother swore he was a miracle child. As time moves along, the real miracle child presents himself above false prophets, as the oldest man in the world (who also lives in Nazareth) predicted would happen.
Written in tight prose with little flash or pretense, “Nazareth, North Dakota” is like reading James Joyce’s “Dubliners” or Louise Erdrich’s “Love Medicine.” Even if the biblical parallels are lost on the reader, the characters are interesting at how they manage through the doldrums of day to day life. As the novel seems to settle into this cozy study of small town dynamics, we see Sam develop into an interesting, misunderstood, and rebellious youth who just might change the world.
Among the interesting scenes with Sam’s transformation are a debate he has with an Ethics professor, although only this debate’s aftermath is depicted, and his friendship with Daylene Hooker. Daylene’s nickname “prostitute” hearkens readers back to Christ’s befriending of Mary Magdalene, showing one way in which Zurhellen weaves ancient characters into new ones.
Each chapter is divided like a short story, and has a date with the title. The book only runs a little over two hundred pages, and like the testaments depicting the life of Christ, it leaves large portions of time unaccounted for.
The first one hundred pages are interesting and read well, but some readers might be lost on the point for such detailed accounts of so many villagers. Eventually these eccentric stories tie into a finely woven tapestry of modern legend. To the unsuspecting reader, the leaps in time are also jarring at first. But, once the reader realizes the timeline spans in a short space, like the Bible, the story moves along smoothly.
“Nazareth, North Dakota” is a strange and fascinating trip, and an astute retelling of the story of all stories. Born in New York City, Zurhellen convincingly portrays not only small town life, but that of mid-western life with great fluency. Readers who are weary of the run of the mill bestseller, or are looking for a good story that is written well, should look for this title.
Pub Date: April 15, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-9845105-6-6. Page count: 212pp. Publisher: Atticus Books.
Photo caption: (Courtesy book cover image of “Nazareth, North Dakota”)