Minutes and feet apart

Taylor and Tessa were born on Wednesday September 24, 2008..... a few short minutes apart with only a wall between them. Dan walked around the hospital floor like a proud new daddy and stopped at our door when he found out we were there too to show off his precious little bundle. We were some of the first people to meet little Tessa. Jessica and I talked about getting our girls together one of these days to play when I ran into her a little while back. The next morning I ran into Dan and Tessa just after her pictures with easter Bunny. It was only the second time I met Little Tessa... I never thought that that would be the last. Tessa passed away last night. They are not sure still of the exact cause...but the cause doesn't matter to me. I'm heartbroken and shredded by this. My heart goes out to Jessica and to Dan. I know at least she has Laurie Kathryn, Emily and Emy's little one up there to play with, but it still doesn't make it any better down here. Jessica and Dan, I'm beyond sorry.

Stringer Funeral Home Online Memorial (and obit)

Facebook Online Memorial

Crash Update

Tabitha Royce, 33, of Charlestown, N.H., died at Springfield Hospital in Vermont, police said.

wmur.com

River rescue under way of trapped motorist - Tuesday, Mar. 16, 2010

River rescue under way of trapped motorist - Tuesday, Mar. 16, 2010

Posted using ShareThis

SentinalSource.com article

Finally some good news

Fosters.com

No jail time in Alton road death: Judge relents to wishes of victim's family

By Gail Ober
gober@citizen.com
Thursday, November 5, 2009


LACONIA — The Alton man who killed one of his passengers in a drunken driving crash in September 2008 will not serve any time behind bars, despite his guilty plea, a Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday afternoon.

Ryan Sell, 27, of 33 School St., wept as he apologized to the family of Robert H. Richey of Florida who died when the sport utility vehicle he was driving missed a poorly marked corner and ran into a culvert on Avery Hill Road.

"To sentence Ryan to jail will cause more grief and tragedy," said Megan Quinn who spoke for the entire Richey family, many of whom were in court for the sentencing hearing in Belknap County Superior Court.

"We, the family deserve, to have something positive come from this. We need something positive," she said as she pleaded with Judge Kathleen McGuire to allow Sell to continue with community service, but not to put him in jail. "We can't bear to see another life lost to the shuffle of the system."

Belknap County Attorney James Carroll had asked for Sell to serve 12 months for the vehicular homicide and had agreed to suspend a two- to four-year prison sentence for aggravated driving while intoxicated.

Sell's attorney, Mark Sisti, told McGuire Sell takes complete responsibility for what he had done and has "from the day it happened."

"I don't think taking a chance on Ryan Sell is taking a chance," continued Sisti, who said Sell does not have a drinking problem and has never used drugs or gotten even a traffic ticket.

After silently reviewing her notes for a few minutes, McGuire told those in the courtroom she could not remember a time in her 20 years on the bench when she did not impose prison on someone convicted of negligent homicide — until this time — a statement that brought tears and hugs from both Sell's friends and family as well as Richey's.

McGuire said she was "most persuaded" by Sell's intent that night, which was clearly not to drive.

According to testimony, Sell had gotten a ride to one area club with his mother-in-law and had walked to a neighboring club to meet his wife. His intent was to walk home.

Instead, Sell's uncle, Brian Eagles of Alton, asked Sell to drive him and three of his friends home, one of whom was Richey.

"His judgment was impaired but when he drank, he did not intend to drive," said McGuire who also agreed to let both sides stipulate that Sell did not drink between the time he left the club and the accident.

McGuire said she also considered the rainy, foggy evening, testimony stating the sign at the intersection was misleading and that Sell was familiar with neither the road nor the car.

"The wishes of both families is also critical," she continued. "And, by all accounts, he has been a positive hard-working member of the community."

McGuire sentenced Sell to 12 months in jail, but suspended that portion of the sentence on condition of good behavior. She also sentenced him to two to four years on the aggravated drunken driving, all suspended. He will be on probation for two years and will have to undergo an alcohol evaluation at his own expense. Sell must further perform 200 hours of community service.

The Department of Motor Vehicles suspended Sell's license for four years. However, he can reapply for it in two years.

When asked if he was satisfied with the sentencing, Carroll said the judge imparts the sentence and he respects the sentence.

"There was no way I wasn't going to ask (for jail time) because I think deterrence is important," Carroll said. "It's my job, and I will continue to do it."

Laurie Kathryn's Butterfly Dance

I finally managed to find Dee (Laurie's Mom) today so I could snag some fliers for this wonderful event they host every year so I can finally share the info.

Laurie Kathryn Hassett died on July 4th, 2006. She was 3 years old. News travels fast around here and I learned about it within minutes of it happening and I just about had a break down when I heard the news. Ashtyn was 2 months and some days old and I was still very post pardom crazy. Just hearing that someone lost their baby ripped me in two. I didn't even know Dee then, and I never met her beautiful little girl, but just knowing that a mother lost her child, it was more than I could take. It has been three years and I still get teary when I think of their loss. On a slightly more positive side, Laurie helped me realize my "loss" was not a loss at all and the little picture I have of her on my fridge reminds me everyday to love and cherish every second with my girls, even the very very bad seconds. Now, every year, the Hassett's host a Butterfly Dance in memory of their precious little girl. And now that I've shared a little piece of the story, and why I feel so compelled to share this with everyone, here's the flier and info:

(Click the pic for a larger view)


Patch Park in Charlestown, NH (I have linked the map to Charlestown Ambulance because even though it shows Patch Park on the map, mapquest doesn't think it has its own address.....its the same place)

Donations are accepted (recommended $10 for adults). Hope to see everyone there.... and kids, don't forget your wings.

Fall Mountain Class of 99 Reunion Update

A bunch of us received this email Tuesday morning:
*********************************************

Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009, 5:04 PM


Hi Everybody,
Unfortunately, I'll have to cancel the reunion. Not enough people committed by the deadline. Too bad, it would've been great to see everybody.

For those of you who did send checks, I'll be sending them back to you within the week.

Take care, and enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

xo

--
Mara

*******************************************

That didn't sit well with a lot of people, so Amie and I are now attempting to pull this off. Same weekend but new venue and lower price tag. We are now having it at the
American Legion in Bellows Falls.
Sunday September 6 at 6pm.
Bring a dish to share and donate $2
a person to cover the room rental. There is a cash bar....soda is $1, beer and mixed drinks $2.50 and up. Please email me at imninstar@yahoo.com so we, and the legion can have a head count....they may need to have another bartender for us.....


These are the people I have emailed or called (or someone has for me) and I'm listing who has RSVP'd and what they plan to bring (and the ones that say "told Mara yes or no...I haven't heard from them personally so, until I do, that's what you get)....

Amanda (Holt ) Lyman..............Yes (2) .....meatballs
Aaron Aiken ..........told Mara he was planning to go
Amie O'Brien ................Yes (2) .....Decorations and Mac n Cheese
Ajlan LaRock.........................Yes..............Dessert
Anna Symonds
Alana Olmstead .....told Mara No.... Lives in CA
Allison Thompson ...........No...........previous engagement
Ashley Pratt,
Becky Ide .......................................Yes (2) ......................wrap platter
Beth Staples .............................No (moving)
Bethany Graves ...told Mara No
Becky Bashaw
Beth Spadaro .....................................Yes
Christy Mullane ....told Mara No
Corey Gordon
Craig Richardson ............................Yes (2)................Appetizers
Chauncey Hutton-
Dan Eaton
Dan Peletier ....told Mara Yes
Darcie Blodgett
Derek Rudolph .....told Mara No
Dan Newton .....................Yes (2)
Danelle (Philbrook) Osinchuk
Duncan Blaine
Emily Smith ......told Mara No
Erica {Fisk} Stupka-Fisk ..................Likely (2)
Erin Lester ...........told Mara No
Geoff Robbins ...........................doubtful
Greg Bacon JR
George Nutting
Ian Flemming
Jennasys {Pellerin} ........told Mara Maybe
Jennifer {Meier} Bailey ....told Mara no.....Lives in Germany
Jeremy Strate
Jeremy Tenney ....told Mara No
Jessica Putnam
Jessie {Shand}Proulx............Yes (2)...........Tuna/Mac Salad &
..........................................................................Devilled Eggs
Jon Clark
Joshua Ash
Jason Leahy
Jay Brooks
Julie Martin ......told Mara Yes
Justin Blaine
Joel Snelling ................likely
Jeremy Anderson
Joe Aldrich ..............told Miranda no
Jonathan Kangas
Joanne Mitchell
Josh Watson .......told Mara Yes
Kathy Davis .........................Yes
Karen {Desmarais} Baker................Maybe (2 .....baby's due)
Kurth Bemis ................................Yes (2)
Killy Bascom ..............Told Mara Yes
Kricket {Fellows} Fellows-McCusker .......told Mara No
Kyle Jarvis ...........................................................Yes
LT Polland
Luke Lucier
Lucas Anderson
Mark Brannon
Maggie Haas .........told Mara No....Lives in CA
Mara Sullivan ...........Yes...napkins, plates, plasticware
Maggie Shaw ......................................................No (work)
Matt Kmiec
Melissa Hayman .....................No (Lives in Utah)
Mike Jenkins
Meganne Blaine-
Matt Lockhart ...................Maybe
Mike Sykie ...........................No (can't make it)
Marcel Boucher................Yes (2)
Matt Grysko
Matt Durnford
Matt Parker
Mike Weaver
Miranda Crowe...................................................Maybe
Nina {St Sauveur} & Jeremy "Precourt".........Yes (2) .... goolash/chop suey
Nikki Beauschesne ...................doubtful
Nick Brown
Nik Pleisch ...................Yes ......................Dessert
Ocatilla {Mueller}Seiber
Pat Donovan
Paige Gesick .......................Maybe
Rik Royce ................told Miranda Not Likely
Ryan Lawler
Rob Calkins ......................................................Yes (2)
Rodney Campbell ............told Mara No
Samantha {Baldasaro}Aubin ..........Yes (1)............."something"
Seth Normandin .................................Yes .............Cake and/or pie
Sara Weber
Sara {Westberg} Harrell ................................No (too far away)
Sarah Holmes ....................................................Yes
Shana Farer-Feld
Shannon Nichols
Sonya {Moore} Eigabroadt...............Likely....................Pizza
Stacy Labarre .....................................No
Susan Kohler
Sam Putnam................................Yes (2)
Scott Cousino -
Sarah (Mullane) Powell.....................No (alt. plans)
Thom Burroughs



These people I have no idea how to contact:

Allyson Baker -
Monica Boobar
Sean Brown
Jessica Barth
Shane Brown
Solanyita Contreras
Josh Curtis
Todd Davis
Jim Ferreira
Dawn Fowle
Nate Hanson
Darcie Hartford
Aaron Hawthorne
Amy Kimball
Kristin Kinder
John Kenney
Mike Kercewich
Adam Kohler
Katherin Page
Nichole Reinhart
Mike Rodrigues
Nate Simmonds
Emily Smith
Rick Sweeney
Isaiah Tuthill
Noah Tuthill
Allison Webb
Jason Winter


Anyone know if someone's missing from this list???? If so please let me know...



Needed items/ideas of what to bring:
Food: salads, meat dish, vegetarian dish, etc
Platters: veggie, meat, breads/rolls, cheese and crackers, etc
Chips and dips

Eagle-Times, 2 other papers close doors

Snagged from http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20090710/NEWS04/907100372/1003/NEWS02

Publisher to declare bankruptcy today

By Susan Smallheer Staff Writer - Published: July 10, 2009
CLAREMONT, N.H. — As one staffer put it, the Eagle ran out of Time Thursday.The Eagle-Times, a daily newspaper that served the city of Claremont and communities on both sides of the Connecticut River, published its last edition today.Harvey Hill, publisher and owner of the paper, told employees Thursday afternoon that he would file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy today. Employees were told to turn in their keys at the end of their shift Thursday."We did our best to continue the operations, but the economy and the changes in the newspaper industry have made it impossible to continue this business. Thank you for your support over the years and the dedication you showed to his newspaper," he wrote in a staffwide e-mail."It's the paradigm shift," said one staffer, referring to the changes affecting the newspaper industry in New England and beyond, from the troubles at the Boston Globe to small-town Claremont."I'm saddened; it's awful close to home," said John Mitchell, president and publisher of the Rutland Herald, which competed head-to-head with the Eagle in many Vermont towns. "I thought smaller papers were doing OK for the most part."Eric Francis of White River Junction, who wrote for The Spectator and the Eagle-Times as a freelancer for several years, said the staff worked to get the final edition completed Thursday afternoon.He said that the closing shocked everyone. "Harvey said it was just economics," Francis said, noting the past year or so had been "rocky," with the papers experiencing a high turnover rate in editors.Staffers said the closing affects not just the Eagle-Times, but Hill's other publications including The Message, a shopper based in Chester, Vt., and the Connecticut Valley Spectator of Lebanon, N.H., both weekly publications. Hill bought the popular Message a few years ago, and started the Spectator in 2002.The news shocked not just the employees, but people who got their daily dose of hometown news and sports from the 7,800-circulation paper. On Thursday, the front page included news about the rebuilding of Aumand's, a furniture store in Walpole, N.H., which burned a year ago, and a story about how Josh the camel from Lempster, N.H., had made the record books being the first camel to make it up Mount Washington in the White Mountains."Holy smokes," said former state Sen. Edgar May of Springfield, who was the subject of a Sunday magazine feature earlier in the week."I have a special affection for American journalism for obvious reasons for having worked in it for many years," said May, who won a Pulitzer Prize for journalism in the 1960s. "It's a very sad time when any newspaper dies because a newspaper has been the centerpiece of changing public policy and improving the lives of so many people," he said."The closing of a newspaper means a little piece of democracy has died," he said. "There are some very important issues that have required skilled, intensive reporting that only newspapers can do."May's comments were typical of people contacted late Thursday, as news of the papers' closure became public.Hill, in an e-mail to employees, said he and his wife Christina could no longer afford subsidizing the paper. Hill bought the Eagle-Times about 15 years ago after a successful career in the paper manufacturing business.Hill said he and his wife had paid for the employees' health insurance through the end of July, and that employees would get their final paycheck, plus vacation pay, next week.He attributed the papers' closing to the economic crisis, as well as the widespread problems in the newspaper industry."It's very sad," said Bob Flint, executive director of the Springfield Regional Development Corp., who had worked with Hill on a variety of projects over the years."On a lot of levels, I appreciate what Harvey and Christina have done. But I know it's been a struggle. The closing will leave a huge void in this region," Flint said.The Eagle-Times was created in the 1960s with the merger of two newspapers: the Claremont Eagle and the Times-Reporter, which was based in Springfield. For years, the paper operated out of an office in downtown Claremont on Sullivan Street, but eventually it built a new plant on the outskirts of the city on River Street – with a wonderful view of Vermont.Matt DeRienzo, now the publisher of the Torrington (Conn.) Register, started at the Eagle in 1999 as a reporter and left in 2003 as managing editor."I think that Harvey and Christina have sunk so much of their personal money and time into the papers, they are not in it for the money. They cared about the community," DeRienzo said.DeRienzo said Hill, a native son of Charlestown, N.H., grew up on a farm just down the road from the paper's location on River Road. He returned to the area after a career in paper manufacturing, got bored with retirement and bought his hometown paper.But in a perfect indication of how news spreads in the 21st century, DeRienzo said he didn't hear about the closing of the Eagle from the Associated Press news wire, or a telephone call from Hill or fellow staffers, or even an e-mail, but from the social networking site Facebook.A friend, a former staffer of the Spectator, now a freelancer in New Hampshire, posted news of the paper's closing on her Facebook page, he said.susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com