Search results matching tag 'Bow'

Bow’s fine season stopped by unbeaten Pioneers

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:58:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

It wasn’t the way Paul Cohen envisioned bidding farewell to the Bow High School football campaign. The Falcons, who were at one time 5-0 and tied atop the standings, were thumped by Trinity High School for a second consecutive week, losing in the Division V semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 7, 37-0.

“We kind of came spiraling back to Earth (after that strong start to the season),” said Cohen, Bow’s head coach. “I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the season, but unfortunately the season said goodbye to us.”

Bow drove into Trinity territory early on and showed it could move the ball on a Trinity defense that has not allowed more than 24 points in a contest this season. But finishing those drives was a problem. Three lengthy field goal tries all failed to connect, including two tries of 50 yards.

The two teams met one week prior to the game to conclude the regular season, and the Pioneers came away with an easy 59-0 victory.

Trinity’s head coach, Gary Leonard, said that win led to poor execution from his team, despite a second consecutive lopsided outcome.

“It made us overconfident,” said Leonard, whose team hopes to win its first title since 1988. “We battled that all week long, and then we came out flat. It took us a little while to wake up.”

Wingback Connor Lyons gave Trinity a jolt of energy, running for three touchdowns and taking a punt in for a score as well. The senior reached the end zone twice on plays of 80 yards.

Gregory Polish grabbed an interception in Trinity territory in the final minute of the first half and Tom Poitras recovered a fumble in the third quarter, but the Falcons were unable to capitalize on either occasion.

With running time put to use in the second half due to the score, the Falcons ran few offensive plays. In fact, Bow didn’t touch the ball on offense in the fourth quarter; Trinity ran a 17-play drive to end the game.

Poitras led the Bow offense with 47 yards on six catches from the wide receiver position, but Bow receivers struggled to haul in throws from quarterback Austin Hill throughout.

Despite the loss, Cohen said he viewed the season as a successful step for the program. “We weren’t going to have a repeat of 2008 (when the team struggled),” said Cohen. “We saw early on in camp how they came together, and that showed in the first games. There was no deer-in-the-headlights look. We had nothing to lose, and I didn’t feel we were intimidated.”

Air Resources Council member asked to step down

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:51:00 GMT

By Dan O’Brien

A group challenging the installation of a turbine at Public Service of New Hampshire’s Merrimack Transfer Station has called for a board member overseeing the case to step down.

The Sierra Club said Raymond Donald, the acting chairman of the Air Resources Council, was a former employee of the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant, which was partially owned by PSNH.

“We found out through a financial disclosure form that Ray Donald had a relationship with Seabrook Station, so we filed a motion to disqualify him,” said Cathy Corkery, chapter director of the New Hampshire Sierra Club. “We reminded PSNH lawyers they have a responsibility of candor.”

The Merrimack Transfer Station is undergoing a $457 million overhaul. The project upset residents in nearby Pembroke when a 445-foot tower, also known as a scrubber, was constructed last summer with little notification to residents. PSNH defended the allegation, saying it contacted all the town boards required.

The Sierra Club said it’s concerned that the new turbine could release more pollutants that allowed under law, alleging that it was built without proper permits.

Corkery says the discovery of Donald’s former employer was made last week.

“We do not have confidence in the council’s ability to hear this fairly,” she said.

A decision on the issue could be made at some point this week.

In Bow 378 students out sick with flu

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:47:00 GMT

By Dan O’Brien

Bow Superintendent of Schools Dean Cascadden said attendance levels have returned to normal after a record number of students were absent three weeks ago with flu-like symptoms.

The peak level of absences hit Oct. 22 when 378 students, nearly 25 percent of the town’s public school students, called out sick. It was the largest outbreak of flu-like symptoms in a New Hampshire public school district this year. However, Windham and Londonderry have reported similar occurrences in recent weeks.

“We’re basically back to normal operations,” Cascadden said Thursday, Nov. 5. “We’re back to around 5 percent with single-digit absences.”

The majority of the absences occurred at Bow Middle School, where just over 30 percent of students stayed home at the height of the outbreak. Bow High School had slightly more than 25 percent of students absent and Bow Elementary School had about 14 percent absent at its peak.

From Oct. 4 to 20, the state tested 183 people with flu-like symptoms and determined 21 had the flu – all with the H1N1 strain, also known as the swine flu, according to the Union Leader. About 1 in 9 people with flu-like symptoms actually have swine flu.

Cascadden said the school district has a number of students who are suffering from secondary bacterial infections after initially becoming sick.

“There are some kids who are having a much more difficult time shaking illness, and a lot of that is because there’s a secondary infection,” he said. “We want people to really monitor their kids. Don’t panic, but don’t take it lightly. There will be some kids who have to see their health care provider.”

Cascadden says it’s not unprecedented for a large number of students to get sick at one time, but that in years past, it’s occurred around January or February.

“It’s usually high during flu season, but the unusual thing about H1N1 is that it never went down,” he said. “The H1N1 never had an off-season.”

Explosion knocks firefighters off feet

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:59:00 GMT

By Dan O'brien

An explosion blew firefighters to the ground as they fought a two-alarm blaze at 13 Jonathan Lane on Oct. 25, but fortunately no one was injured, a fire official said.

“It was a good-sized explosion,” Bow Assistant Fire Chief Richard Pistey said. “It literally knocked down the first crew.”

Pistey said firefighters from Bow and Concord were first to arrive at the scene about 6 p.m. when flames were shooting well into the air. Five other fire departments provided mutual aid.

“We were just unloading groceries,” said Glenn Foley, who lives at the home with his wife and two children. “My wife noticed smoke. Then we looked outside and saw the garage on fire.”

Foley, his family members, their four cats and two dogs were able to escape the house safely.

Foley said he and his children had been home for a few hours before the fire started, and his wife had just returned home.

When firefighters first arrived, the garage attached to the two-story house was fully-involved with flames extending into a breezeway, Pistey said.

“They stopped it where they found it,” he said. While the firefighters were able to stop the flames from spreading, water and smoke damaged the house. The fire burned through the roof of the garage, which was completely destroyed.

“The garage is gone, but the house is definitely salvageable,” Pistey said.

The Red Cross was called to the scene to offer assistance to the Foley family. Neighbors also took in some of their pets. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Investigation continues on underage drinking party

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:50:00 GMT

By Dan O’Brien

The chief of Bristol police said interviews with Bow High School students who attended an underage drinking party at the school superintendent’s house in Bristol last month are ongoing.

Chief John Clark said a primary concern is how the alcohol was provided.

“It has nothing to do with the superintendent. It has to do with the concern of underage students at a party where there was no adult present,” Clark said. “There’s a level of responsibility that needs to be recognized and taken … We’re very much interested in how the liquor got there.”

A parent of one of the students contacted Bow High School Principal John House-Myers a few days after the party when the parent heard that teenagers got drunk at Superintendent Dean Cascadden’s home on Jenness Hill Road in Bristol.

Cascadden’s son allegedly invited 11 Bow students into his parents’ home while they were attending a wedding out of state. Even though Cascadden’s son lives outside the Bow school district, a provision in his contract allows his children to attend Bow schools without paying tuition.

Police were never called to the home when the students gathered there. No charges have been filed.

The chief, who said he formerly served on the Attorney General’s Underage Drinking Task Force, hopes law enforcement and school officials can teach students about the consequences of underage drinking.

“What we’re looking to do is make sure the school system works within its policies and make sure we’ve taken every possible step to make this a learning experience,” Clark said.

Clark expressed disappointment that some people have downplayed the seriousness of what allegedly occurred.

“It’s nice to say 11 kids were at a party and nothing happened. Something could have happened,” he said. “I’m not sure I buy that argument.”

Clark wouldn’t comment if marijuana or other narcotics were present at the party, or if anyone became ill or injured, saying, “Those are questions that still need to be answered.”

Because the 11 students are athletes, they were given punishments from the school’s athletic department for violating an athletic code of conduct. However, since the alleged behavior occurred off school grounds, the School Board said the school itself could not punish the teens.

At the Oct. 1 Bow School Board meeting, Chairman Warren Fargo said he heard some type of smoking was involved.

“Alcohol was involved, smoking was involved, but what kind of smoking, I’m not sure,” Fargo said.

Cascadden has said in interviews that he didn’t know about the drinking incident until four days after it happened, when the high school principal was informed.

“I’m dealing as a parent with things that many other parents have to deal with,” Cascadden said at the time. Police said he has been fully cooperative with the investigation.

The majority of the School Board said they support Cascadden and do not believe the incident should affect his job.

“His performance has nothing to do with his son’s decisions and actions,” Fargo said.

Scholarship Vocal Ensemble to Perform in 50th Annual Festival of Barbershop Harmony at Concord City Auditorium

AskLisa — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:38:00 GMT

Concord Community Music School announces that the 2009-2010 Scholarship Vocal Ensemble will appear as guests at the 50^th Annual Festival of Barbershop Harmony on Sunday, November 1^st at the Concord City Auditorium, Concord, NH.

Members of the Ensemble, who were chosen by audition this fall are:

Soprano - Hannah List (Bow High School)
Soprano - Halie Proulx (Goffstown High School)
Alto - Jana Hieber (Goffstown High School)
Tenor - Pat Richards (Concord High School)
Bass - Zach Ahmad (Goffstown High School)

The Ensemble is coached by Emily Jaworski, a member of the Music School’s voice faculty. Ms. Jaworski also coaches the Teen Chorus and offers individual instruction at the Music School.

The Scholarship Ensemble program at the Concord Community Music School is for highly motivated high school students who would like an intensive small ensemble experience, and who are willing to make a serious commitment to weekly rehearsals and frequent performances around the state. Scholarship Ensembles, in voice, jazz, woodwinds and strings, have performed in New York, Boston, and at high schools and community events across New Hampshire, including governor’s inaugurations and national showcase concerts.

Students who are selected will be on full scholarship through the generosity of area businesses and foundations. Over the past 25 years, students have represented many towns in NH, including Enfield, Bow, Plymouth, Groveton, Berlin, Nashua, Dover, and Keene. Scholarship Ensemble alumni are teaching, performing and recording in New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and elsewhere locally and nationally. For more information on this event, please contact the Concord City Auditorium at 603-228-2793. For more information about the Concord Community Music School, please call (603) 228-1196 or visit our website at http://www.ccmusicschool.org.

Bow math teacher gets environmental studies grant

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:21:00 GMT

By DAN O'BRIEN

What does learning about the environment have to do with math? Bow High School teacher Marcel Duhaime plans to show students the answer.

Duhaime, an algebra, pre-calculus and calculus teacher, is one of 19 teachers nationwide awarded Sept. 9 with a grant by the National Environmental Education Foundation in conjunction with The Weather Channel to bring environmental studies into typically non-environmental type classes, such as math.

“Marcel represents a generation of teachers who will help students flourish in the 21st century’s green economy,” said Diane Wood, president of the National Environmental Education Foundation. “Environmental education is more than just helping build an appreciation for the natural world, it’s about preparing our young people for the careers of tomorrow.”

The grant allows Duhaime to take two graduate- level online courses to learn how to intertwine environmental issues with his math lesson plans. The courses are offered by the Environmental Education and Training Program through the University of Wisconsin at Steven’s Point.

Duhaime, 45, a Hooksett native who is married and has a son in the fourth grade, said he’s been an avid outdoorsman his entire life. Some of his favorite hobbies include backpacking, sea kayaking and snowshoeing. He also spent several years in the Boy Scouts program, the Appalachian Mountain Club and served in the U.S. Coast Guard.

“I’m trying to bring environmental education to everybody,” Duhaime said. “And I’m trying to make it personalized for the kids so they want to get involved.”

Duhaime says he’s already coming up with ideas since collaborating online with teachers from around the country and the world who are trying to bring environmentally -centered lesson plans to their respective classes. Some of the ideas are simple, such as getting students to calculate Sawyerocean tides and air temperatures.

“I’m trying to get the raw data and present it to the kids to make models for predictions of the future,” he said.

Duhaime said today’s lesson plans are a lot different from as recently as 10 years ago, allowing for more hands-on learning through activities such as laboratory experiments using data.

“Math classes are a lot different than when I was in high school,” he said.

Pembroke, John Stark, Bow x-country teams prepare for postseason

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:18:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Entering the Manchester Invitational cross country race with little chance of winning the team competition, Pembroke Academy runners took the race personally.

Even though the boys and girls teams finished near the bottom of the pack in the large school division on Saturday, Sept. 26, five Spartans set personal records, and head coach Mike Slavin was excited with the effort his runners gave.

Niki Labelle delivered the top finish for the girls; her time of 22 minutes, 27 seconds earned her 87th place overall. Jake Persons had the top time for the boys team when he finished 94th among 207 runners. Elizabeth Abbott, Rebecca Mitchell, Mariah Smith, Ben Kubat and Brian Barnes all set personal-best times at the race.

The Spartans joined John Stark and six other teams on Sept. 22 at the first-ever Windham Invitational, hosted by recently opened Windham High School.

Pembroke’s boys came in seventh on the afternoon, while the girls were eighth. John Stark’s boys team was third in the eight-team field, and the Lady Generals managed a fifth-place finish.

“We didn’t come (to Windham) to race today, we wanted to go at a slower pace and use the afternoon to prepare for Manchester,” said Slavin. “It’s tough to race three days after you ran another race.”

Many teams took a similar approach to the Windham race; the Manchester Invitational is one of the larger events on the cross country calendar. John Stark did not travel to Manchester.

Bow High School raced to two top-10 finishes at the Manchester Invitational, and the girls team managed a second- place result after scoring 111 points.

Emily Buck was fourth overall in the small-school category, with Gena Kalampalikis, Katrina Wiesner, Keelan Forey and Meaghan McCann earning points after her. The boys team was sixth, led by Jonathan Vinnenberg’s sixth-place finish overall, followed by Dylan Lucas, Ben Evans, Andrew Brunelle and Evan Smith.

All five of the boys were in the top 100, while the lowest finish for the girls was McCann in 42nd place.

Goffstown High
Four boys raced for the Grizzlies at the Manchester Invitational. Kyle McNamara led the group, followed by Ryan Lunderville, Henry Mac- Gibbon and Stephen Fortin. Kali Langevin led the three GHS girls across the finish line. She was 71st among 162 finishers. Holly St. Onge and Nikki Denison also completed the course.

Bow High School Falcons now 4-0 after another heart-stopping football victory

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:13:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

The Bow High School football team has given faithful hearts weekly workouts in 2009. The most recent example was a 17-14 win at two-time defending state champion Pelham on Friday, Sept. 25.

The Falcons scored the game-winning touchdown with just 30 seconds remaining. So far, Bow’s four victories have come by a combined 14 points, none more than six points.

“Every game has been a cardiac finish for us,” said Bow’s head coach, Paul Cohen. “We may be down in a game, but we are never out of it.”

Tom Poitras contributed in nearly every facet – kicking a 25-yard field goal, grabbing an interception and tallying a sack as time expired, and this came after he gave the Falcons the lead 30 seconds earlier.

Bow dominated time of possession in the second half, running its offense for 19 of a possible 24 minutes, culminating in its final drive that began with 6:26 remaining and the Falcons trailing, 14-10.

On 2nd and goal from the Pelham 10-yard line, Austin Hill dropped back to pass and threw a fade to the corner of the end zone, where Poitras was waiting with a well-positioned defender in front of him.

But the 6-foot-6 senior jumped into the air, reached over the defender’s helmet, secured the ball with two hands and gave his team a three-point lead after kicking the extra point.

Bow fans were still uneasy after the Pythons returned the ensuing kickoff to the Bow 43- yard line, then nearly came away with the win.

With three seconds left, Pelham quarterback Joseph DeAngelo threw a perfect spiral to an open receiver in the end zone, but the ball went right through his hands and incomplete. A play later, Poitras sacked the scrambling DeAngelo to seal the win.

“We know every year about him. We’re scared to death of that kid,” said Pelham’s head coach, Tom Babaian, of Poitras. “We had it covered perfectly. What else are you supposed to do?”

With the win, Bow is now tied with Trinity atop the Division V standings. Cohen said he hopes this win opens people’s eyes.

“We knocked off Kearsarge, and it was a fluke. We beat Stevens, and it was ‘So what?’ Now people are starting to wake up to the reality that we are for real,” said Cohen. “We’re sitting high and pretty right now, but we know we need to keep our egos in check because things can change on a dime.”

Pelham falls to Bow, drops in standings, must rebound quickly

Salem Editor — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:45:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

It’s a task Tom Babaian hasn’t faced in recent years, but the Pelham football head coach must now help his team find a way to bounce back.

After producing undefeated state championships the last two seasons, the Pythons are now 1-2 in Division V play following a heartbreaking 17-14 loss to visiting Bow High School on Friday, Sept. 25.

Pelham clung to a 14-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the Falcons took control of the ball with 6:26 remaining in the contest and drove down to the Pythons’ 10-yard line with 30 seconds remaining.

Bow’s Austin Hill threw a corner end zone fade to a tightly covered Tom Poitras, but the 6-foot-6 receiver reached over the head of the defender and hauled in the go-ahead score.

“We had it covered perfectly. What else are you supposed to do?” said Pelham’s head coach, Tom Babaian.

The Pythons responded rapidly with a threat of their own as Tim Schaffer took the ensuing kickoff and returned it to the Bow 43-yard line with 17 seconds remaining.

Quarterback Joseph DeAngelo had one clean shot at the end zone, but the well-thrown ball fell through his receiver’s hands, and he was sacked while scrambling on the next and final play of the game.

DeAngelo gave his team a lead early on, scoring the game’s first touchdown on a quarterback keeper in the first quarter.

Bow struck back late in the second quarter to knot the score, but DeAngelo and the Pythons answered the call on a 41-second drive that culminated with a touchdown pass to freshman Kevin Cheam with 1:49 remaining until intermission. The second half, however, belonged completely to the Falcons, who possessed the ball for 19 of a possible 24 minutes while pounding into the teeth of the Pelham defense.

The Pythons missed an opportunity just prior to Bow’s game-winning drive. With 8:13 remaining in the contest, Conor McColgan leveled a Bow ball carrier, jarred the ball loose, and Josh Luciano scooped it up at the Falcons’ 31-yard line. But four plays later Pelham turned the ball over on downs, setting up the frantic finish.

Pelham went 22-0 combined in 2007 and 2008, but Babaian said it’s unfair to compare this year’s unit to those teams because of the skilled players and leaders who graduated.

“We are nowhere near the team we were in ’07 and ’08. You have to put that all behind,” said the Pelham mentor. “A lot of (the early struggles) are that they’re still trying to find each other, figure out what their teammates can do.”

Bow head coach Paul Cohen said his team knew coming it faced a difficult foe … and may have to again.

“Do I think they’re a team who can be one of the top contenders in the division? Absolutely,” said Cohen. “If we see them again, we’re going to have to prepare even harder.”

Babaian said his team wants that chance.

“We’re hoping,” he said. “That sure would be nice to get another shot at them.”