Pelham News

Veteran Pelham firefighter dies at 48

2008-07-23T19:18:00Z

Pelham firefighters saluted one of their fallen brethren with a cigar- smoking gathering on Monday, July 21, after learning of the sudden death of veteran firefighter Howard Mastropiero.

Mastropiero, 48, a firefighter with the Pelham Fire Department for 11 years, had been vacationing out of state with his wife and three daughters when he died of a heart attack Wednesday, July 16.

Chief Michael Walker described Mastropiero as a “good man, good father and a good husband.”

“You look at yourself and you wonder, ‘I wish that I could be like him,’” Walker said. “I never heard him say a bad word about anybody. He was always upbeat and supportive. He will do anything for you.”

Mastropiero – who routinely worked out with Walker in the mornings – was an asset to the fire department and to the community, he said.

He had just begun taking more of a leadership position within the department.

“Right now we’re grieving,” Walker said. “Everyone here loved him; the community loved him. We’re going to find out what we can do for him.”

Outside of the Pelham Fire Department, the flag flies at half staff and traditional drape of dark purple bunting hangs over the station to signify the loss.

On Monday, July 21, Walker joined with others to mourn Mastropiero’s passing and in a small ceremony held at a cigar store in Pelham where he used to purchase his cigars. His funeral was held that day at Londonderry Presbyterian Church.

Pelham Police say OxyContin use on rise

2008-07-23T19:00:00Z

BY JENN McDOWELL

Police arrested an 18-year-old Pelham man as part of an ongoing effort to halt the use and sale of prescription drugs, particularly OxyContin, in the community.

Krystopher Draper, 18, of Pelham was pulled over on Sherburne Road on Thursday, July 17, at around 2 p.m. by detectives investigating several individuals believed to be consuming and selling the drug, said Pelham police Sgt. Gary Fisher.

Draper, who also had a warrant out for stealing a check and cashing it in Pelham, has been charged with possession of OxyContin and possession of forged writings, both Class A felonies, and a misdemeanor count of drug possession in a motor vehicle.

Fisher said Draper had one OxyContin tablet on him at the time of his arrest. He added detectives watched Draper enter his vehicle and drive away before pulling him over, and already knew who he was. He could not say whether Draper was leaving his home.

According to Fisher, Draper stole a check from a Nashua business in November 2007 and cashed it at a Citizens Bank in Pelham. Officers investigating that case were able to get a photo of him, leading them to look into the OxyContin use.

Fisher said Draper’s arrest marks the third in a lengthy investigation into the drug’s continually growing use in the community. He added there would be more arrests forthcoming as the investigation reveals new individuals who may be involved with the drug. Police do not suspect a drug ring at this point, Fisher said.

“It’s a very prevalent drug. It’s easily obtained, and it’s highly abused,” Fisher said. “I think it’s becoming a drug of choice.”

OxyContin, often referred to as “the poor man’s heroine,” is a member of the opioid group of prescription drugs, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

OxyContin is a time-released form of the narcotic oxycodone, and is generally prescribed as a last resort for patients who are in severe pain every day. It is meant to be ingested as a whole tablet to get the time-released effect, but abusers of the drug typically chew up the tablet. Many also crush it up and snort it, or dissolve the powder in water and inject it.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, those who take OxyContin according to their doctor’s orders do not usually get any euphoric affect out of it, and can avoid becoming addicted to it because their pain absorbs most of that effect.

However, those who chew, snort, or mainline the drug to release the narcotic quicker and who have no pain to cure can become very addicted to the drug in a short amount of time.

Pelham 11s and 12s win one, lose one in state Little League softball tournament

2008-07-16T19:42:00Z

BY JERRY LIPTAK

Coming off an exciting 10- 8 win over Bow in the 11- and 12-year-old Little League state softball tournament, Pelham entered the winners bracket final with wide-eyed enthusiasm. Lamprey River’s starting pitcher – at least for one game – morphed that into wide-eyed wonder.

Pelham couldn’t catch up with the fastest fastball the team has seen in a 10-0, five-inning loss on Monday, July 14, but the locals still have tourney life. They’ll play Friday, July 18, at 6 p.m. against the winner of the Merrimack Valley/Auburn game. The location has not been set.

A win in that game means Pelham earns a rematch with Lamprey River on Monday, July 21.

Pelham’s manager, Steve Notini, hadn’t picked a starting pitcher for Friday’s contest. He’d like to have his daughter Minta, who pitched well against Bow, face Lamprey River, but he realizes his team first has to get there.

Notini was also pleased with the effort of Olivia Crane in the loss. She gave up five first-inning runs but deserved a better fate; none of the base hits were well struck. After that, she shut down Lamprey River until the fifth inning.

“Olivia, she’s a good pitcher, but they caught up with her in that last inning,” he said.

The mentor added the team was much more comfortable in its deceivingly close win against Bow. Pelham trailed early, 4-0, but strong hitting up and down the lineup provided a 10-4 edge into the sixth, when Minta Notini tired.

Leadoff hitter Chantal Roussel scored three runs in the victory, and Erin Long added two. Nicole DelSignore, who missed the Lamprey River game, was perfect at the plate, going 2- for-2 with two walks and a run scored. Colleen Ernst, whom the elder Notini said is a possibility for the starting pitcher spot on Friday, collected two hits and scored once.

Minta Notini helped her own cause by scoring twice, while Jaden Yabut singled. Kayla Andrewchuk also crossed the plate.

Against Lamprey River’s hard-throwing Kim McLaughlin, Nikki Manelas reached on a walk and nearly collected the team’s lone hit; she was thrown out by half a step in the bottom of the fifth. Left fielder Brooke Paradis played well on defense, snaring a line drive in the first inning and catching another in the third that prevented a run from scoring.

Kaeleigh Sparkman and Sophie Rosselli give their coach strong bench options.

“Hopefully, we’ll see this Lamprey River team again,” said Notini, “and get another shot at them.”

Pelham woman charged with stealing school funds waives arraignment

2008-07-16T19:31:00Z

BY JENN McDOWELL

A Pelham Elementary School aid accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the school’s “sunshine fund” waived her arraignment in Salem District Court, which was scheduled for Monday, July 14, at 8 a.m.

Lisa Harris, 50, of 50 Windham Road in Pelham, turned herself in to police after a warrant was issued for her arrest on Tuesday, June 17.

The fund, for which Harris was in charge of accounting, was set up by Pelham Elementary teachers. Teachers would contribute money to the fund, which is completely independent of the school district’s budget, to make special purchases such as cards and gifts for special occasions.

Superintendent Frank Bass explained most schools have similar funds which incorporate collections from teachers and staff for such purposes, including weddings and funerals.

“These are monies that teachers put aside. It’s a very normal system. Most schools have sunshine funds of some sort,” said Bass.

Since the donated money in the fund is separate from the school budget, the missing funds will not be reflected back onto taxpayers.

Pelham police allege that Harris, who has since been terminated from her position as an instructional aid at the school after 10 years on the job, transferred $4,600 from the sunshine fund into a Sovereign Bank account. When the account was about to be drawn upon for a purchase, school staff noticed some of the money was missing.

“We became aware of a discrepancy in the account when money was called on for a specific purpose, and then upon investigation we realized the discrepancies were significant, and the investigation went its course,” said Bass.

According to police, the school district reported the missing funds on May 22. Investigators reviewed the financial statements, and found that several transfers had been made out of the fund between May 16, 2007, and May 28, 2008.

Police then reviewed the Sovereign Bank records for the account the money was being transferred into, and found it to be in Harris’ name.

Harris is now facing a felony theft charge for which she could be sentenced to jail time, probation and fines. She is out on bail, and her trial has yet to be scheduled. Bass said the school district administration and staff, as well as Pelham Elementary teachers are shocked at Harris’ behavior, adding she was a well-liked employee by all accounts.

“It’s an unfortunate set of circumstances, and we’re very disappointed in what has occurred,” Bass said.

Pelham firefighters wear red T-shirts to show support for troops

2008-07-16T19:25:00Z

BY DERRICK PERKINS

Local firefighters have begun honoring the sacrifices made by U.S. servicemen and women in a quiet, weekly nonpartisan show of support while on the job.

Donning red T-shirts emblazoned with the words “support our troops” for the first time Friday, July, 11, Pelham firefighters are hoping to create a weekly tradition of remembrance until the every soldier “comes home safe.”

“It’s important to us because as time goes by, it seems like folks forget,” said Chief Michael Walker of the Pelham Fire Department. “It’s about supporting the troops. Everyone has their own ideology. The bottom line is about supporting those people over there.”

The idea for the T-shirts came in the form of an e-mail sent to James Foley, president of the Local 4546 firefighters union two or three years ago.

“Someone sent me an e-mail saying, ‘If you want to support the troops wear red on Fridays.’ So I started wearing red on Fridays” Foley said. “So I happened to notice some Boston firefighters wearing red in the same light. One of my friends happened to get me one of those T-shirts.”

Chief Walker took notice, Foley said, and supported his wearing the shirt. With Walker’s blessing, Foley organized a T-shirt sign-up sheet for the rest of the department. After receiving the red T-shirts a little more than two weeks ago, Walker and Foley designated Friday, July 11, as the first “red shirt Friday.”

The next batch of T-shirts will go to the Pelham Firefighter’s Ladies Auxiliary to be sold to raise funds to help the station purchase needed equipment and for local soldiers charities.

Foley had his own brush with the war when a cousin who was serving in the Army was deployed to Iraq. He is currently training cadets at West Point Academy. Foley said the display of remembrance is a nonpartisan show of support, without any political overtones.

“I don’t want to send the wrong message as an anti-war statement, because it doesn’t mean that,” Foley said. “It means we support the guys over there. We want to make sure that they’re remembered.”

With a nephew who is a captain preparing for deployment in Iraq, Walker agreed.

“If you like war, you’re a fool, I don’t care who you are,” he said. “It becomes necessary at times; whether you believe in this one or not, there’s no consequence. They are people who are doing what they’re told and doing it with great honor.”

Walker and Foley aren’t the only ones in the department with a connection to the war. The husband of another firefighter saw combat in Iraq and a member of the department’s search team is currently training in the Mojave desert in preparation for a tour of duty in Iraq.

Both men remember the death of Army Sgt. Dan Gionet of Pelham in 2006 in an explosion in Iraq. His mother, Denise Gionet, will help to manage some of the funds raised through T-shirt sales.

“I’m supporting the troops,” said Ray Cashman, a firefighter for 23 years in Pelham wearing his red shirt while out on a call. “Some people may not support the war, but you have to support the troops.”

A firefighter for 19 years, Bob Chatel hopes to see “red shirt Fridays” spread across the state and country.

“I hope to see fire services everywhere do it,” he said. “Let’s see them all get involved in this.”

Foley said he will continue to show his support until all the troops come home.

“I currently wear red on Friday. I will wear red on Fridays until the guys come home. I can say as a firefighter there are long shifts when we’re away from our wives and children and when we do get home, hugging your loved ones is very important,” he said. “When they have the opportunity to get home and put their arms around their loved ones that is very important to them. I’m hoping that they’re all able to do that and that we won’t lose too many more lives over there.”

Underwater work - Pelham grad dives into a different career path

2008-07-02T19:32:00Z

BY DARRELL HALEN

While Spencer Grant’s friends are writing college freshman English papers, sitting in large lecture halls and cramming for tests in the library, he’ll be experiencing a very different kind of education – deep in the water. Grant, 18, is pursuing an unusual career path, that of a commercial diver.

In early September, he’ll begin a five-month program at Divers Academy International in Erial, New Jersey, which provides 720 hours of practical experience and classroom training.

“It’s very hands on, and there’s a lot to learn in a short amount of time,” said Grant, who recently graduated from Pelham High School. “I’m very excited about going.”

The curriculum of the academy’s deep-sea diving program covers a wide range, including study in performing offshore oil operations, hazardous waste operations and emergency response, underwater welding and cutting, and bridge inspections.

The school owns a spring-fed 32- acre quarry where students dive from a large barge.

“I’m going to be busy,” Grant said.

Grant, who enjoys scuba diving with an uncle off Salisbury Beach, became interested in the academy after seeing an advertisement for the school in a magazine. He and his mother, Ellen, toured the school last spring.

“The more I learned about it and was exposed to it, I knew it was something I really wanted to do,” he said.

As part of the school’s application process, Grant had to undergo medical tests and had X-rays taken throughout his body to prove he had no health problems that would restrict him from training. Students must be physically fit to undergo the program.

A career in commercial diving can be exciting and adventurous, and there is a variety of offshore and inland work that can be found after graduating, according to the school.

Academy graduates have gone on to build structures and maintain platforms for oil and gas companies, conduct repairs around radiation hotspots, fix bridges and piers, repair pipelines and perform other types of hazardous materials work, and done other duties.

“You could end up all over the world,” said his father, Michael. “It’s a gypsy life, somewhat.”

Ellen Grant said her son, who will graduate with several high-level certifications, is the type of person who wants to work outside, rather than be in a 9-to-5 job inside four walls. She admits that she’s nervous about him doing dangerous work deep in the water.

“It’s a very dangerous occupation,” she said. “But after going down and visiting the school, we found out they compromise nothing for safety.”

Like her husband, she fully supports her son’s decision to become a commercial diver. They know he’s following his passion.

“If he loves it and wants to continue in a career in it afterwards, we’re behind him a thousand percent,” she said.

Pelham landmark to be demolished, farewell party planned

2008-06-25T19:40:00Z

BY DARRELL HALEN

It is considered by some to be a historic landmark, a reminder of a once-thriving transportation system. But soon, the old trolley barn in Pelham’s town center will be torn down.

It’s not going to be demolished, however, without a farewell.

St. Patrick’s Parish, which owns the building, is holding a movie night fundraiser – dubbed the “Trolley Barn’s Last Hurrah” – to say goodbye to the building and raise money to remove it.

“It’s a chapter in history that will be closed,” said Selectman William McDevitt, who is disappointed the building will be demolished but understands why it must come down.

The white brick building, according to Bill Scanzani, a member of the church’s capital improvement committee, is suffering from structural problems, including a wall that is separating from the roof. The building is about 106 years old.

About two years ago, an engineering review of church property determined that it would cost about $1.5 million to fix the trolley building, according to the Rev. Robert Guillemette, the church’s pastor. The parish doesn’t have the money to save it, he said.

The building, known as St. Patrick’s Hall, had been used by the church’s parochial school for physical education classes and was made available to outside groups for use. But the Diocese of Manchester, concerned about safety and liability, closed the building.

Although the building is commonly referred to today as the trolley barn, it is not the barn’s entire original structure. The car house portion was razed during World War II.

The building that stands today is actually the barn’s power station, according to McDevitt. A 50,000-gallon water tank that supplied water for steam-powered generators once stood next to it.

The building is slated to be demolished in July at a cost of roughly $40,000. McDevitt is disappointed that a part of the town’s history will be lost.

“That is a remnant of what once was a thriving transportation system that ran through Southern New Hampshire,” he said.

According to the book, “Reflections,” a pictorial history of Pelham, the advent of mass transportation around the beginning of the 20th century brought trolley cars into small towns in the area, including Pelham, Hudson and Salem.

Electric cars transported workers to textile mills and shoe shops in Nashua and in the Massachusetts cities of Lowell and Haverhill.

To encourage people to travel on weekends, trolley car owners built amusement parks at Canobie Lake in Salem and Glen Forest in Methuen, Mass., according to Reflections.

Eventually, however, trolley routes were abandoned as automobile use became more prevalent during the 1920s.

Seven years ago, a local Boy Scout established a plaque outside the trolley barn to honor the memory of six people who died and 40 people who were injured when two trolley cars collided in Pelham in 1903.

That plaque will be saved when the building is demolished, Scanzani said.

Trolley Barn’s Last Hurrah St. Patrick’s Parish is inviting the public to a Movie Night to say “farewell” to this historic landmark. The movie “Monsters, Inc.” will be shown on the wall of the old trolley barn on Wednesday, July 2. Gates open at 7 p.m., and the movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.

Popcorn, candy, other snacks, soda and water will be sold. And there will be a chance to win a one-of-a-kind “Monster’s Inc.” door. Tickets cost $10 per car. Cars will be parked in the lower lots at the church. Ticket proceeds will be used toward the building’s demolition.

D grade back at Pelham High School

2008-06-25T19:34:00Z

BY JENN McDOWELL

Pelham High School freshman Stephanie Picanso failed her Algebra I class this year.

Had there been a D grade in the school district’s grading system this year, her 68 average would have been a D instead, and she might not have to take the class over again in her sophomore year.

Her mother, Christine Bobola, explained she enrolled Picanso, 15, in public school for the first time this year after putting her through Catholic school for her early school career.

Picanso had a lot to get used to, just getting into high school and transitioning from a private school format as well, Bobola said.

She thought a level one Algebra I class would have been right for Picanso, who had been in level one classes prior to entering Pelham Elementary.

“We had to learn the hard way, but an F is a really hard way to learn that she should have been in a level two,” Bobola said, adding Picanso worked hard to keep up with the level one standards for the class. “It wasn’t like she got a lazy man’s F,” Bobola said.

After testing out a grading system that eliminated the D grade, the Pelham School Board recently decided to bring back it back.

Superintendent Frank Bass said the School Board wanted to reinstate the D as a way for parents and teachers to be more aware, when progress reports come out, of a student’s standing in their classes.

“We look at the D as a warning signal, as a yellow light, if you will,” Bass said. “The board wanted to take it a step further and say we’d still like to create this safe harbor for those students who, despite the best efforts of the school and parents, reside in the D range.”

Without the grade, students who got a 69 average or below in a class failed.

With the grade added back into the grading system, students could pass with a 65 average. Anything 70 or above would be a C, said Bass.

The real test, Bass said, will be after the first progress reports come out in the 2008-09 school year. Bass said he wants to take stock of how many students are in the D range on their progress reports, and out of those how many students get their averages up into at least the C range.

If parents and school administrators see a D and treat it as a warning, they may be able to coax the student into getting their average up in the class, said Bass.

“We want the parent to know, we want the kid to know and, of course, we want to know,” said Bass. “I think it will be interesting from my own perspective to see where kids end up after the first semester.”

Bobola said adding the D back into the grading system is the right thing to do, but wishes that letter had been around when her daughter entered a public high school for the first time, an adjustment for the freshman on several levels.

“I mean, obviously she didn’t get a good grasp of the knowledge, but I’m not sure as far as her having to repeat it, how that has damaged her for the rest of her high school years,” Bobola said.

Pelham teacher’s aide charged with stealing from fund

2008-06-25T19:30:00Z

BY JENN McDOWELL

A Pelham Elementary School instructional aide faces a felony theft charge after she allegedly stole thousands of dollars from the school’s Sunshine Fund.

Lisa Harris, 50, of Pelham turned herself in to police after a warrant for her arrest was issued on Tuesday, June 17.

The fund is a collection of money set aside by Pelham Elementary teachers to purchase cards and gifts for occasions such as funerals and weddings , school Superintendent Frank Bass explained.

“We became aware of a discrepancy in the account when money was called for for a specific purpose, and then upon investigation, we realized the discrepancies were significant, and the investigation went its course,” said Bass, adding Harris is no longer employed with the Pelham School District.

Harris, who worked as an aide for about 10 years, allegedly stole a total of $4,600 from the Sunshine Fund, transferring the money into a Sovereign Bank account.

Harris was in charge of keeping track of the funds, Bass said, which were accrued over time from teacher donations. They were not a part of the school district’s budget, Bass said, and the missing money will not reflect back onto taxpayers.

“These are monies that teachers put aside. It’s a very normal system. Most schools have Sunshine Funds of some sort,” said Bass.

According to police, the Pelham School District reported on May 22 that the money had been taken from the fund. After reviewing the fund’s financial statements, police found that the $4,600 had been transferred out of the fund between May 16, 2007, and May 28, 2008.

Pelham police investigators were able to secure the financial records of the Sovereign Bank account into which the money was deposited, and found it to be in Harris’ name.

Police released Harris on $5,000 personal recognizance bail. She will be arraigned in Salem District Court on Monday, July 14, at 8 a.m.

Bass said the school district administration and staff, as well as Pelham Elementary teachers are shocked at Harris’ behavior.

“It’s an unfortunate set of circumstances, and we’re very disappointed in what has occurred.”

Pelham babysitter arraigned

2008-06-18T20:12:00Z

BY JENN McDOWELL

A Pelham woman has been arraigned on 53 charges after she allegedly tried to pass off her employer’s baby as her own.

A probable cause hearing has been set for Jessica Provencal, 21, operator of Child Care on the Go, for Monday, July 2, in Salem District Court.

Provencal, of 364 Mammoth Road, had been caring for Cindy and Jim Chok’s 8-month-old baby since it was just weeks old.

The parents were horrified to learn that Provencal had put an ad up on Craigslist advertising for a babysitter for “her” baby. Not only had Provencal interviewed several candidates for the bogus job, she’d actually left the baby with some of them and had paid them for their services.

“It’s a parent’s worst nightmare,” said Pelham police Lt. Gary Fisher.

Provencal is being charged with 26 counts of kidnapping, 26 counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of theft by deception.

Fisher said someone called the Pelham police station on Monday, June 2. The caller stated that Provencal was a care provider for several families in Pelham.

She then told police that Provencal was telling people about her 8-month-old baby and was looking for a babysitter. The caller said that Provencal had never been pregnant to her knowledge.

She also told police about the Craigslist posting, which police were able to access.

From there, police tracked down three babysitters interviewed and hired by Provencal, all of whom were under the assumption that the eight-month-old was hers, Fisher said.

When police arrived at Provencal’s home for questioning, the baby was with her.

At the time, she told police that the Choks knew about the Craigslist ad, according to court records. She also supplied the wrong address and contact information for the Choks.

After tracking the Choks down and questioning them about their day-care arrangements, officers learned that Provencal had been caring for the baby on Tuesdays and Fridays since December 2007, when the baby was about 6 weeks old.

Cindy Chok told police she specifically told Provencal that the baby was not to be left with anyone else and said she was completely unaware of the Craigslist posting.

The Choks, who live at 24 Longview Circle, released a statement expressing relief to have their child back safely and thanking the Pelham Police Department for “their diligence in investigating this matter.”

The Choks also warned parents to thoroughly investigate the backgrounds of the sitters they hire, including running criminal background checks and asking for evidence of all the day care providers’ certifications and qualifications.

“Conducting random, unannounced physical checks of your child when they are being cared for outside of your home would also be helpful. Had we done any of these actions, we would have discovered our sitter was not being forthright with us,” the Choks said in the statement.

Each of the kidnapping charges, class B felonies, carry maximum sentences of up to seven years. The class A felonies, endangering the welfare of a child, each carry maximums of seven years or more.

Police are still tracking down other sitters Provencal may have solicited or other parents who have left their children in her care. Anyone with such information is asked to call the Pelham Police Department at 635-241.

Pelham seniors celebrate, remember friend

2008-06-18T20:04:00Z

BY DARRELL HALEN

When Pelham High School’s Class of 2008 donned their caps and gowns and received their diplomas, they honored the memory of a student who should have been with them – Michelle Lemieux.

Fifteen months after Lemieux died as the result of a car accident, she was fondly remembered at the school’s Friday, June 13, graduation ceremony.

Flowers sat on an empty chair in the front row. Green tassels and ribbons were worn in her memory. Lemieux was born on St. Patrick’s Day and green was her favorite color.

“In her life, Michelle taught us to laugh and to smile often,” Dorothy Mohr, the school’s principal, told the audience. “In her death, she taught us to watch out for each other, to cherish the comfort of friends, and to value the ability to reach out to others.”

Throughout the evening, Mohr and other speakers offered words of encouragement and praise to the 155 graduates.

They were recognized for donating 15,035 hours of community service. Some graduates each donated more than 250 hours – far greater than the 40 hours each student was required to perform in order to graduate.

Class essayist David Pereira, the third-highest-ranking student, told his fellow graduates that “the tassel was worth the hassle.”

“Each one of us has put the time and effort to make it here tonight,” said Pereira. “Our determination and willpower has been present in each of our experiences here. It’s what links us as a class.”

Jennifer Gray, the valedictorian, told her classmates that they shouldn’t be afraid to fail. Failures will bring you closer to success, she said.

“Learn from those failures and push forward,” Gray urged. “Leave the faint of heart behind and take those leaps of faith into the unknown, for the reward may be larger than the risk.”

William Semrau, a retired U.S. Coast Guard captain, came to the ceremony to officially present Daniel Trainor with an appointment to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Superintendent Frank Bass recognized graduates who plan to serve in public service, health careers and in the military.

Bass told the graduates that they should never let anyone discourage them from achieving their dreams.

“I ask that you shoot for the stars, and don’t be surprised if you make it,” he said. “There are no boundaries, no limitations that you can’t overcome.”

Pelham babysitter charged with kidnapping

2008-06-11T19:59:00Z

BY JENN McDOWELL

A young Pelham woman is facing 27 felonies and 26 misdemeanors after she allegedly tried to pass off the 8-month-old baby boy for whom she was providing day-care services as her own.

Jessica Provencal, 21, of 364 Mammoth Road has been charged with 26 counts of kidnapping, 26 counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one charge of theft by deception, said Pelham police Lt. Gary Fisher, after she allegedly posted an ad on Craigslist seeking day-care services for the baby and actually brought the baby to other sitters’ homes while she was supposed to be watching him a few days a week.

“It’s a parent’s worst nightmare,” said Fisher.

The parents, Cindy and Jim Chok of 24 Longview Circle, released a statement saying they are relieved to have their child back safely and thanked the Pelham Police Department for “their diligence in investigating this matter.”

The statement also warns parents to take greater care in investigating the backgrounds of the sitters they hire, including running criminal background checks and asking for evidence of all the day-care providers’ certifications and qualifications.

Authorities were tipped off by a woman who called Pelham police on Monday, June 2, informing them that Provencal was a babysitter for several families in Pelham and was attempting to pass off the 8-month-old boy as her own.

The woman who called said she knew for a fact that Provencal had never given birth, and told police that she heard Provencal was advertising for a babysitter on Craigslist.

Several people responded to that posting, and Provencal allegedly brought the baby to the homes of unwitting sitters after interviewing them.

“We’re aware of at least three different people that she left the child with,” said Fisher. “They believed that the child belonged to Provencal. We also believe that she interviewed other potential day-care providers that she turned down.”

Pelham police are asking for anyone who has heard from Provencal regarding day care to call the police.

Officers went to Provencal’s Mammoth Road home on Tuesday, June 3, to question her about the baby, who was in her arms when she answered the door and greeted the officers. Upon questioning, according to a police affidavit, Provencal admitted that she told other people the baby was hers. She also admitted to posting on Craigslist for another sitter.

“She explained that she could not watch him every Tuesday and Friday, due to her other babysitting jobs, so she posted the ad. I asked her if (the baby’s) mother was aware of the posting on Craigslist. She stated that (the baby’s) mother was aware and gave her permission to do this,” O’Donnell said in the affidavit.

Provencal also told O’Donnell she had received a response from the Craigslist ad, and that she’d met with and interviewed the woman who responded, hiring her for $50 for Tuesdays and Fridays between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Provencal said she told the woman that the baby was hers.

When asked, she could not produce the last name of the woman she’d hired to care for the baby, according to O’Donnell.

Provencal tried to throw officers off by providing the wrong address and telephone number for the Choks, the affidavit said. After tracking the Choks down and questioning them about their day-care arrangements, officers learned that Provencal had been caring for the baby on Tuesdays and Fridays since December 2007, when the baby was about six weeks old.

Cindy Chok told police she specifically told Provencal that the baby was not to be left with anyone else, and said she was completely unaware of the Craigslist posting. The police assisted the Choks in making arrangements to get the baby out of Provencal’s home immediately, the affidavit said.

After speaking with the woman Provencal hired, police brought Provencal to the police station for questioning on June 3. During the interview, Provencal admitted to leaving the baby with two other individuals besides the one police had already spoken to.

Provencal will answer to her charges in Salem District Court on Monday, June 16, at 8 a.m. She has been released on $2,500 cash bail. Each of the kidnapping charges, Class B felonies, carry maximum sentences of up to seven years. The Class A felonies, endangering the welfare of a child, each carry maximums of seven years or more.

Fisher said Provencal has not been in trouble with Pelham Police before, and that she’s been running a day-care service called “Child Care on the Go” out of her home for several years. Police are still in the midst of tracking down other sitters Provencal may have solicited or other parents who have left their children in her care.

To offer information on this case, call the Pelham Police Criminal Bureau at 635-2411.

Church ‘shantytown’ to raise money for homeless

2008-06-04T23:03:00Z

BY JIM DEVINE

Homelessness is hard to comprehend for those who can’t see it, according to members of St. Patrick Parish in Pelham. They want to make it a bit more understandable in their community with a demonstration to raise money for local shelters.

Beginning at 2 p.m. on June 14, and continuing through noon the following day, parishioners will camp out in the second annual shantytown benefit for local shelters, said Cheryl Brunelle.

“It was only 24 hours, but it really brought to the forefront the idea of being homeless,” Brunelle said. “We get a chance to go home and take a shower to get back to normal, but this is normal for so many other people.”

Brunelle said the idea came about last year as a lesson to the parish’s confirmation class.

“Our confirmation director last year felt it was important that the kids get involved in a project that would help them understand the plight of homeless people,” Brunelle said.

Following through on the lesson’s intent, the demonstration spun off into a fundraiser, which raised $10,000 for seven local agencies in Nashua, Hudson, Pelham and Lowell, Mass.

Creating a shantytown-style camp of improvised shelters, participants will take a closer look at how the homeless live with cardboard shelters and a small shared meal.

During the course of the evening, representatives of each charity group will make presentations about how they help people in need.

The group is also banned from using items such as cell phones and electronics, she said.

Those interested in participating in the event, sponsoring someone or making a general donation can call the parish office at 635-3525 or e-mail Brunelle at cdbrunelle@comcast.net.

Leading Pelham High School students outline plans for the future

2008-06-04T22:49:00Z

BY DARRELL HALEN

Riding a bus back to school with her softball teammates after a game, Jennifer Gray grabbed her coach’s laptop computer so she could finish an English paper that was due.

It was an example of Gray’s commitment to her school work. The young Pelham woman’s dedication to doing well in school was a key factor in becoming the top student in her class.

When the members of the Pelham High School Class of 2008 receive their diplomas on Friday, June 13, Gray will be recognized as valedictorian. Not that she cares for being in the spotlight.

“I don’t really put much on it,” she said of graduating first in her class. “I just do what I have to do for my grades, what I want for me. If I get low grades, it really ticks me off, so I just try my hardest. I wasn’t really thinking of getting No. 1.”

This fall, she enter Boston University, where she’ll study biology and possibly enroll in the premed program.

“I’ve always been intrigued by the science field and the human body,” said Gray, 18, who enjoyed studying anatomy and physiology. “I want to be a pediatrician, I believe, because I love working with little kids. Why not do something where I can mix all my likes together?”

Gray, who credits determination for her academic success – she’s stayed up until 3 a.m. working on school projects – never earned a grade lower than an A-minus on her high school report cards.

She played varsity softball and soccer, is a member of the Spanish Honor Society, was active in Peer Outreach, served on the community service committee and was a member of Future Business Leaders of America.

Although she’s moving on to college, Gray is sad about leaving Pelham. She’s been at the school “24/7,” she joked – competing in sports, participating in after-school activities and working as a computer technician for the school district’s technology director.

She’s at the school so often, she said, that science teacher Bob Moore jokes she should keep a sleeping bag in the chemistry lab.

“I’m going to miss everybody,” Gray said.

While Gray takes up biology, David Irwin, 17, the class salutatorian, will study aeronautical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The No. 2 senior took honors-level and Advanced Placement science courses during his high school career.

“I’ve always loved science and always been good with it and also with math,” Irwin said. “I figured you put the two together and get engineering, and I’ve always had an interest for planes.”

Irwin, who said that he and his parents have high standards for him, admits that school work has been easier for him than for some other students and that he hasn’t had to study much.

He has participated in spring track and cross country, is a member of the National Honor Society, and served on the community service committee.

While going to school, David Pereira’s parents pushed him to earn good grades. And he was also inspired by his sister, Rachel, who worked hard and graduated second in her class two years ago.

“She was a great role model for me,” said Pereira, 17, who, like Irwin, never received a grade lower than a B-plus on a PHS report card. He will graduate as Class Essayist, the third-highest- ranking student.

Pereira, who serves as class vice president, is a member of the National and Spanish honor societies, served in FBLA and on the community service committee, and competed in golf, track and tennis.

He’s going to Bentley College in Waltham, Mass. He’s not sure what he wants to do in business but will probably do something related to arts and the media.

Like Gray and Irwin, Pereira will deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony. But graduating feels a bit surreal, he said.

“It hasn’t even hit me yet we’re graduating after four years of dedication,” said Pereira. “We haven’t gotten our diplomas yet. I’m sure when (my diploma) is in my hand, I’ll be like, ‘Wow, it’s over.’ I’m really excited to go to Bentley and see what else is in store for us at our next level of education.”

Pelham boys tennis, despite falling in semis, raises its game again

2008-05-28T19:53:00Z

BY JERRY LIPTAK

The Pelham High School boys tennis team tweaked the old argument – the end justifies the means – in 2008. This was a team that proved sometimes the end just defies the means.

Yes, unbeaten state champ Hanover concluded the Pythons’ season with a quick 9-0 defeat in the Class I state semifinals on Saturday, May 24. But Pelham reached that point by disposing of Coe- Brown in the quarterfinals, 5-2.

The relatively lopsided victory on Thursday, May 22, came less than one week after the locals edged the Black Bears May 17 by the narrowest of margins – 5-4 – to lock up the No. 4 seed in the playoffs, push Coe-Brown to No. 5 and thereby host the postseason rematch.

That tenacity, the desire to improve and the will to battle, endeared the Pelham players to their head coach, Lisa Terwilliger.

“The seniors were like, ‘You know guys, this is our time to shine,” said the third-year coach. “And I think they really enjoyed the pressure.”

Scott Connatser and Ryan Fyfe, the team’s No. 1 and No. 2 singles players, respectively, dropped their matches in the first meeting with Coe-Brown. In the tournament, though, each won, as did Brian Shapiro at No. 3 and David Pereira at No. 4.

Though Jon Wallace and Matt Mercier dropped their matches at No. 5 and No. 6, the Pythons still took a commanding lead into doubles play.

Once there, Fyfe and Pereira ended the overall match, taking a convincing 8-3 decision over foes they handled by a slim 9-7 margin just five days earlier.

Terwilliger, who starred at Castleton State College in Vermont, praised co-captains Connatser and Pereira, as well as Wallace, for their exemplary approach to the sport.

Wallace played at less than full strength at No. 5 singles after suffering an injury during the team’s match with Portsmouth earlier in the year.

Pereira, said the coach, is a well-rounded, outspoken, funloving leader.

And Connatser was more than the team’s top player.

“Scott has been like an assistant coach to me,” said Terwilliger. “He’s the most unselfish person who’s willing to help the team in any way.”

Pelham finished with a 12- 4 record, including 11-3 in the regular season. The team’s losses were to unbeaten and second-ranked Portsmouth, 7-2; third-ranked and twice beaten Con- Val, 5-4; and Hanover by shutout in early May.

Even against Hanover, Pelham showed vast improvement.

Terwilliger said the locals took just nine games total in that May 7 meeting. In the state semifinals little more than two weeks later, Pereira alone won 12 games – four in his singles match and eight more while teaming with Fyfe and pushing their doubles opponents to a tiebreaker.

Pelham returns Fyfe and Mercier as juniors, and Terwilliger said she’s already talked with the soon-to-be-senior Shapiro about embracing team leadership.

In addition, the coach said a few talented eighth-graders should have an immediate impact on the program.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m going to miss this group of seniors so much – the kids on my team are so wonderful,” said Terwilliger. “But I’m definitely looking forward to next year, too.”