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Volume 14 Number 13 December 31, 2015 12 Pages

New Football Coach to Return

to Pelham High School Sidelines

A Standing Ovation to All

Tom Babaian returns to coach football at Pelham High School.

by Mike Bourk
A familiar face will return to the sidelines
when the Pythons take the field in the fall as
Tom Babaian returns as Pelham High Schools
football head coach. Babaian coached the
Pythons from 1996-2011, compiling an overall
record of 79-80, a playoff record of 8-4, and
two state championships.
Out of coaching altogether for three years,
Babaian returned as defensive coordinator at
Nashua South in 2015. He spoke about getting
back into coaching high school football, I
missed the culture, working with the kids,
having them adapt to different things, learning
new techniques, and the overall aspect and
atmosphere of coaching football.
When offered the position by Pelham High
Athletic Director Todd Kress, Coach Babaian
accepted. It was the right time and opportunity
for Babaian. He elaborates, Being an
educator at Pelham High School made sense
from both a school administration viewpoint
and my standpoint. Knowing the kids, seeing
them every day in a classroom environment,
and understanding what the school needs from
their football coach, and the culture you have
to create for a successful program, it was a
good match for both the school and myself.
Coach Babaian continued, I really enjoy
the kids at Pelham High and the football kids
in particular are ready to work hard to get our

program going in the right direction again.

Babaian talked about young local players,
Working with the local youth program plays
a key initiative in the ongoing success of
any high school program. In our case the
Razorbacks are no different. Theyve done a
really nice job over the years getting the kids
prepared for whats going to happen at the high
school level. Hopefully we can build on that
organizations success at the high school level.
Several of their coaches have been my high
school assistant coaches in the past and we
have a very good relationship.
The Pythons posted undefeated seasons and
won back-to-back Division 5 state titles in
2007 and 2008 under Coach Babaian. They
were then bumped up to Division 3 where the
team struggled against much larger schools.
In the ever-changing world of NHIAA High
School football, two years ago the number
of divisions was reduced from six divisions
to three. Pelham will be playing in Division
2, South Conference. The Pythons have a
competitive schedule on their slate for 2016
playing against Milford, Pembroke, Sanborn,
Manchester West, Saint Thomas, Trinity,
Souhegan, Hollis-Brookline, and ConVal.
While Babaian has reached out to several
people to join his coaching staff, the names of
those individuals cannot be released until the
paperwork with the school is finalized.

by Rhiannon Snide
After a long two months of rehearsals, the Pelham
High School band was more than ready to perform
their 6th annual winter concert on Monday, Dec. 21.
At 7 p.m. students, parents, and community members
gathered in the PHS gym to experience performances
by the PHS Jazz Band, Concert Band, and new this
year, poetry by students in English Honor Society.
After football season ends, both bands begin
preparing their material for the winter concert. The
21 members of the jazz band meet after school once
a week to prepare and practice their solos and group
pieces. The concert band, meeting every day during
school, prepares wind ensemble literature spanning
from the last 100 years. Joseph Mundy, Pelham
Highs music teacher and band director, explained
how pleased he was with the students hard work,
Its great getting to work every day with such talented
and hard-working young musicians, he stated.
Songs ranging from White Christmas to
Russian Sailors Dance were played by the bands.
Something new to the concert this year was poetry
written by students, which was read in between
the solo performances by jazz band members.
Thoughts In My Mind by Kristyn Demers, Mental
Vanessa Chen recites her poem Sticky Rice.
Constellations by Michael Cheney, 703 by Carolyn
Doherty, and Sticky Rice by Vanessa Chen were the
four poems presented prior to the concerts intermission.
Mundy found no notable issues with the performances, and expressed his pleasure and the kids
malleability by explaining, I was very pleased with the concert. It is always tough to transition from our
rehearsal space into the gym where we perform, but the students did a fantastic job with everything.
The standing ovation proceeding the performances was enough to express the crowds warm feelings.
Staff photos by Rhiannon Snide

Staff photo by Mike Bourk

Combining Music and Poetry Makes

for a Fantastic PHS Winter Concert

The 21 PHS Jazz Band members get together once a week to practice their concert material.

And the Drama Continues

Exploring the Policy for Board Members Visiting Schools

by Barbara OBrien
The sitting Windham School Board has been sharing the same
table for more than nine months now, yet, despite repeated
promises to one another and to the public to work together more
cooperatively, as a team, contentious interactions continue to occur
on a regular basis. Its not just the loud voices and angry words that
indicate the divisiveness, but the repetitive eye-rolling, snickering
under the breath and refusal to look one another in the face that
speaks loudest.
Its not just the school board members who are being affected by
the dissension, however. Most recently, it was resident Jerry Rufo,
who is also a member of the building and grounds committee, who
came to the podium to address the dilemma.
Several weeks ago, School Board Chairman Ken Eyring and
Vice-Chairman Tom Murray visited a couple of the schools, seeking
information pertaining to the proposed construction project at
Golden Brook School; the need for a full-service kitchen, to be
precise. While there, Murray and Eyring spoke with a couple of
employees on the topic. They both said they had told the principal
in advance that they were going to be visiting the school, but,
apparently, neither notified the superintendent beforehand. Learning
of the visit, after-the-fact, Interim Superintendent Tina McCoy sent an
email to all five board members explaining her position and asking
that in the future she be advised in advance of any visits by them.
Following their visit, school board member Dennis Senibaldi took
exception with Murrays and Eyrings actions, saying they violated
school district policy, and then posting his opinion and Dr. McCoys
correspondence on Facebook. The situation only escalated from
there, with numerous comments being posted by a variety of other
people, as well.
It was this chain of events that brought Rufo to the microphone
earlier this month. Are there any rules I need to follow when
visiting schools? Rufo asked. What about communicating with
school board members outside of meetings? Referring to Murrays
and Eyrings decision to find out information on their own time, Rufo
said, Some people might see this as a violation of policy, while
others might see it as a show of leadership, by not waiting around
to get things done. Theres too much drama (among school board
members). We have a job to get done here. Rufo wanted to know
if the same policy that applies to school board members also applies
to committee members, such as building and grounds.
The policy in question reads: Individual School Board members
interested in visiting schools on an informal basis will inform the
superintendent of such visits and make arrangements through
the principals. Murray claimed that this is exactly what he did.
The policy doesnt say I need the superintendents permission. It
doesnt say when the superintendent is to be informed, Murray
said. I have been visiting these schools regularly and the issue
has never come up until now. I do not wander through the schools
unaccompanied.
Murray said he was troubled by Senibaldi bringing up employee
names in his postings and continually casting aspersions on certain
other school board members. As for his visits to the schools, Part
of my duty is to inform myself in advance of making educational
decisions, Murray said.
Eyring said he feels the policy should just pertain to school board
members, not the members of the building and grounds committee.

School board member Rob Breton disagreed, however, saying it

was his opinion that committee members should follow the same
policies as school board members. Senibaldi also said he believes
committee members should be held to the same accountability as
the school board. Senibaldi said he would rather that committees
visit schools as a group, rather than individually.
While Eyring said he believes the existing policy is open to
interpretation, Senibaldi said he didnt see any cloudiness in
what is meant. Call the superintendent ahead of time and make
arrangements with the principal, Senibaldi said. Its that simple,
he said. Senibaldi said he has no problem with chance meetings
of board members or staff.

I take my oath of office very

seriously. I truly feel that I did
not violate the policy.
-Windham School Board
Vice - Chairman Tom Murray

Murray said he wholeheartedly believes in transparency and in

adhering to policies, but has begun to feel apprehension about
whats okay to ask and when. Murray noted that he is not just
a school board member, but a taxpayer and a parent of several
children attending Windham public schools, as well.
Longtime resident Paul Therrien expressed deep disappointment in
the squabbling among board members. Ive lived here in Windham
since 1980 and never felt the desire to address the school board
before, but you guys have gone over the top, he said. Therrien said
he was tired of hearing about petty protocol violations. Whats
wrong with all of you? You act like a bunch of kids. Suck it up and
get your job done!
Its not petty protocol, former school board member Michael
Joanis said. Its school board policy.
Eyring said he feels the pertinent policy is ambiguous, which
leads to confusion in how to interpret it. It needs to be revised,
Eyring said. I felt I had an open invitation to visit the schools.
Joanis adamantly disagreed with Eyring, stating that he feels the
policy is brutally clear.
Resident Cynthia Finn said the issue has deeply troubled her as

well, noting that the quibbling among board members and others
has slowed down the budgeting process, thereby hurting students in
the long run. Finn also said she is very appreciative of the countless
hours Eyring and Murray have spent working on the construction
proposal. Finn was also disturbed by the fact that several employee
names were included in the emails bandied about on social media
and elsewhere. Its alarming, Finn said, referring to the violation of
these peoples privacy. It makes them feel like targets, Finn said.
Resident Donna Sawyer, a former school district treasurer,
reminded school board members that they need to be an
impeccable role model. You need to find a way to establish trust
as a whole board!
Senibaldi said he brought his accusation of policy violation
into the public arena because, previously, when he attempted to
discuss issues in private it didnt work out well. All I want is a
public eye on the issue, so it stops, Senibaldi said. In response
to the contention that he had violated employees rights to privacy
by including certain names in correspondence, Senibaldi said he
had gotten a legal opinion stating that the emails do not constitute
personnel files and, therefore, are not exempt from the Right to
Know Law. They were all public documents, Senibaldi said,
referring to the emails circulated during the controversy.
I read the policy. I think its pretty clear, Breton added. They
(Murray and Eyring) should have talked to the superintendent ahead
of time, but it didnt happen; although the reasons for their visits
were completely valid, Breton said. However, when policies are
not followed, it takes up valuable time. In conclusion, he added,
We need to move on before we derail everything were trying to
accomplish here.
Policies are like the law. Its not black or white, Popovici-Muller
said. There are massive gray areas. As a matter of practice,
however, I inform the superintendent before each visit. Give a
heads-up in the future, he told Eyring and Murray. We need to
make sure we are all on the same page.
I take my oath of office very seriously, Murray said. I truly feel
that I did not violate the policy. I had no ill intent to violate policy,
he said. In hindsight, I wish we had made that phone call to the
superintendent in advance of our visit, he said. But, there was no
ill intent. Certain people are making a mountain out of a molehill.
There is ambiguity in these policies.
Plans are for the school district policy committee to review these
policies in the near future and to make recommendations to the
full school board for any proposed alterations or clarifications. The
revised policies will be discussed during public session.

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2 - December 31, 2015 | Pelham - Windham News

Accolades
Joshua Hebert of Windham, a junior majoring in Computer Science
at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, recently completed an intense,
hands-on research project in Moscow. The project was titled Mobil
Applications for Collaborative Research. At WPI, all undergraduates
are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project
that applies science and technology to addresses an important societal
need or issue. A signature element of the innovative undergraduate
experience at WPI, the project-based curriculum offers students the
opportunity to apply their scientific and technical knowledge to
develop thoughtful solutions to real problems that affect the quality of
peoples lives - and make a difference before they graduate.
Michael Pillets of Windham was one of 592 candidates for
graduation at Coastal Carolina University at ceremonies on Dec. 11
and 12. Pillets graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation
and Sport Management.
This fall more than 1,300 undergraduate students from around the
world began their first year at Tufts University, located in Medford/
Somerville, Mass. They include Siddhart Agarwal and James Quinn,
both of Windham.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institutes Stephanie May of Windham has
been chosen to the ECAC Division III Upstate Womens Soccer Second
Team. The sophomore midfielder played all 19 games, including 18
as a starter. She recorded two goals and two assists for six points,
while taking 23 shots (eight on goal). An All-Liberty League First
Team choice, May recorded one game-winning tally, while averaging
83.7 minutes per match. She logged more than 90 minutes on six
different occasions. May played in all 20 games for the Engineers last
season, including 13 as a starter. She had a team-high four assists,
while registering 12 shots, including one on goal. The former Central
Catholic High School standout earned All-Liberty League Honorable
Mention, averaging 64.5 minutes per match. The Engineers concluded
their season with a 6-7-6 overall record, coming one draw short of the
NCAA single-season mark. RPI went 2-3-3 in Liberty League play.
Andrew Becker and Jaimee Cooke of Pelham and Ryan Letourneau
of Windham have made the first-quarter honor roll at Austin
Preparatory School.
Send your Accolades to news@areanewsgroup.com with a photo

Look at Who is in
Whoville at Windham
Middle School
by Doug Robinson
Members of the Windham Middle School basketball team all
dressed up as Whos from Dr. Seuss Whoville during the schools
spirit week celebration.

Staff photos by Doug Robinson

Community News In A Home Town Format

Area News Group Papers 880-1516

submitted by Diane DiPersio

On Tuesday, Dec. 8, Windham resident Jillian DiPersio played a holiday
concert at the White House, under the direction of composer/conductor
Gabriele Ciampi, as part of the George Washington University Chamber
Orchestra.
Jillian graduated from Windham High School in May and is currently a
freshman at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., majoring in
international affairs with a concentration in international development. She
also continues her musical pursuits at the university as principal clarinetist for
the wind ensemble and clarinetist for the symphony orchestra.

Courtesy photos

Windham Resident Jillian DiPersio Plays

Holiday Concert at the White House

School Board Member Accepts Position

as Windhams Finance Director
by Barbara OBrien
The Town of Windhams new finance director is more familiar as
a member of the Windham School Board, than he is on the town
government side. That, however, is in the process of changing.
Daniel Popovici-Muller was elected to the local school board last
March and has been serving in that capacity since. Now, he will
also be a familiar face around town hall and at the Monday evening
selectmens meeting.
Popovici-Muller replaces Dana Call, who resigned from the job of
finance director this past fall in order to assume a position with the
State of New Hampshire. Call had worked as Windhams finance
director for about a dozen years.
After an extensive search, Popovici-Muller was selected to fill the
vacancy left by Calls resignation. He began his duties as finance
director the middle of December. He also continues to serve in
his capacity as school board member. Popovici-Muller resides in
Windham.
Popovici-Muller says he has extensive work experience in both
Europe and the United States. He earned a Master of Business
Administration degree from Boston University, with a double
concentration in finance/ strategy and business analysis. Previously,
he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electronics and
telecommunications from the Polytechnic Institute in Bucharest,
Romania. Popovici-Muller is also certified in applied project
management.
I have worked with companies of all sizes; from startups to

Fortune 300 corporations, in roles

ranging between IT (Information
Technology), business, training,
and corporate finance, he
explained. In my latest corporate
position, I had full responsibility
over the finance of a 75-milliondollar business unit region.
Popovici-Muller makes his
home in Windham with his wife
and two daughters, both of whom
attend Windham public schools.
Popovici-Mullers wife works
for a biotech firm in Cambridge,
Mass.
When asked his feelings
Daniel Popovici-Muller was recently
about being offered the job of
hired as Windhams finance director.
Windhams finance director,
Popovici-Muller said, This job is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to earn my living serving the town I love. I am grateful to the board
of selectmen, Town Administrator David Sullivan, and everybody
else involved in the hiring process, for giving me the opportunity to
join the exceptional group of people that work for our town. I will
work hard to reward their trust.
Popovici-Muller joins the Town of Windham during its busiest
time of year ... in the midst of budget season.

Windham Terrace Assisted Living Adds Cheer

with Wreath Decorating Contest
submitted by Susan Hoover
To add some extra cheerfulness
with a charitable twist to the holiday
season, Windham Terrace Assisted
Living, a premier assisted living
community, hosted a fun, interactive
and heartwarming seasonal tradition
for its Windham neighbors. It invited
local charitable groups and clubs
to participate in Windham Terrace
Assisted Livings first wreath decorating
competition.
Organizations created the wreaths
and dropped them off at the assisted
living community to be displayed and
voted on by residents, guests and staff.
The first-, second- and third-place
winners received cash to help further
Second Place - Windhams Helping Hands
their groups mission. The six wreaths
Third Place - Friends of the Library
were created by Windhams Helping Hands,
St. Matthew Church MOSAIC (Mothers of
School-Aged to Infant Children) group, Friends of the
Library, Windham MOMS Group, Windham Presbyterian
Church and Windham Middle School. After participants
dropped of their creations, the wreaths were on display
for voting in the assisted living community for nearly
two weeks. The winners were announced at Windham
Terraces holiday cocktail party. St. Matthew MOSAIC
won the first-place $300 prize, Windham Helping Hands
won the second-place $200 prize, and Friends of the
Library won the third-place $100 prize.
This year, we decided to celebrate the holidays
by giving back to the many groups that impact our
community and the seniors here at Windham Terrace,
said Lynda Brislin, executive director of Windham
Terrace Assisted Living. We contacted these groups
about the contest because we knew that they would
do great things to continue to give back with the prizes
awarded. We very much enjoyed seeing all of the
reactions from the residents when each wreath arrived
First Place St. Matthew MOSAIC
and was displayed at the community, and it filled their
hearts with the holiday spirit. They enjoyed voting for
their favorites and the suspense leading up to seeing who won by popular vote. While Windham Terrace
decorates its community during the holidays every year, the staff wanted to share in the holiday spirit by
honoring local organizations in Windham. The residents greatly benefited from participating in this festive
tradition.
For more information, contact Susan Hoover at 214-890-7912, ext. 31, or at shoover@fortegroupinc.
com, or Amy Jones at 214-890-7912, ext. 30, or at ajones@fortegroupinc.com.

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Book Donations
Made in Memory
of Past Members
submitted by Kathy Merchel
Windhams Helping Hands recently received
its annual book donation for the holidays. This
book club has donated over 1,400 books during
the last 12 years. This year the group received
120 books. The books are in memory of previous
members who have passed away. In that photo
are Ruth-Anne Calandra, Nancy Kimball, Marylou
Linnemann and Sally Hunt.
Courtesy photo

Pelham - Windham News | December 31, 2015 - 3

Staff photos by Rhiannon Snide

Hampstead Stage Company Gives WMS Audience a Ghost of a Performance

WMS students watch a two-person adaption of A Christmas Carol.

Dierdre Manning and Anna Robbins got to know their student volunteers: Morgan Finn, Rielly Salvador, Joe Miceli, and Joe Bruzzese.
by Rhiannon Snide
Windham Middle School got creative and festive, while
giving a lesson to kids about classic literature. On Monday,
Dec. 21, Hampstead Stage Company was invited to give a live
performance of their take on the classic story A Christmas
Carol. The Hampstead Stage Company has been performing
at Windham Middle School for many years now, making the
performances by the company a tradition for the school.

Each show presented by the company is a take on a piece

of classic literature, and is adapted into a show with only two
performers. Dierdre Manning and Anna Robbins were the two
actors who performed on Monday. Manning stated their aim is
to get kids interested in both theater and reading, a goal that
was definitely met after their performance at WMS.
After the show, the kids were given a few minutes to ask
questions, which ranged from How long does it take to

memorize your lines? to Is your job hard or easy? So many hands were raised
out of curiosity of how two-person plays are organized that time ran out before
every question could be answered.
Not only was the play interactive in the sense of a question-and-answer
portion, but student volunteers also contributed to the actual acting within the
play. Four student volunteers were asked to help perform various roles within the
performance.
Along with a roaring applause, the many smiles that filled the cafeteria at WMS
after the performance proved the interest and excitement that A Christmas Carol
brought to the school.

Windham Seniors Get Festive

at their Holiday Dinner

by Doug Robinson
More than 350 Windham seniors recently enjoyed a wonderful holiday dinner
celebration at the Castleton Banquet facility. Women adorned in Christmas and
holiday sweaters and men dressed wearing similar ties enjoyed an afternoon
full of celebration, conversation, and culinary delights. Local seniors facilities
provided buses in an effort to have as many seniors as possible participate in the
annual event.

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Married for 54 years, Irene and Dennis Brown remember the first time they met.
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Birthday babies, Don Morin, Nancy Chisholm and Diane Harvey,

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School Board Asks for $275,000

More in Budget Cuts
by Barbara OBrien
Windham School Board members have asked
administrators to go back to the drawing board,
sharpen their pencils and find approximately
$275,000 where reductions in the proposed 20162017 operating budget might be slashed. This is
in addition to some $300,000 in budgetary items
that had been reduced earlier in the meeting.
The eleventh-hour request came during the final
school board meeting prior to Christmas break,
shortly after board member Dennis Senibaldi
had already outlined several areas that he felt
were not critical needs; things that he believed
the Windham School District could do without
for another year. Senibaldis recommended cuts
came to about $300,000 and included upgrading
the driveway at Center School, the purchase of
Chrome Books for fourth-graders at Center School,
a $50,000 reduction from the proposed $250,000
Special Education contingency fund, a reduction
in money for fuel as the result of lower oil prices
and mild weather, the removal of $17,000 for a
video pack to be used at the high school and the
elimination of an upgrade to the front door at
Center School; an improvement that was intended
to increase security (at a cost of $21,800).
We need to give the administration direction,
Senibaldi said. Weve been looking at this
budget for weeks now, he said. Were either
going to make these cuts or were not.
School board member Rob Breton said he
agreed with the suggestions made by Senibaldi,
commenting that the school district is facing
numerous issues this year, including a new
teacher contract, a construction project, a capital
reserve fund for ongoing facility needs and a
possible citizen petition for a track at Windham
High School. Weve got an awful lot coming
up, Breton said.
Chairman Ken Eyring said he had the same
items on his list of where cuts might be made.
We are over-burdened, this year, Eyring
said. School board member Daniel PopoviciMuller also agreed with Senibaldi and Eyrings
interpretation of the situation. Vice-Chairman Tom
Murray was not at the meeting due to a family
emergency.
Interim Superintendent Tina McCoy and
Business Administrator Adam Steel contested
one of the cuts urged by Senibaldi that being the
upgrade to the front doors at Center School. The

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extra layer of security that these doors would

add is very valuable in an emergency, McCoy
emphasized, noting the danger posed too often
in todays society. The upgrade to the Center
School doors is a critical need, Steel added,
commenting that such a safety concern has also
been expressed by Windham police.
After further discussion, board members voted
4 to 0 to eliminate the purchase of the Chrome
Books, reduce the money for fuel, reduce the
money for the Special Education contingency
fund, and eliminate funding for driveway upgrades
at Center School. The only item that was not
unanimous was the vote to eliminate the money
for the security doors at Center School, which
passed by a vote of 3 to 1. Eyring, PopoviciMuller and Senibaldi voted to remove the funding.
Only Breton voted to leave the money in the
proposed budget.
As the school board meeting dragged on
late into the night, once again, despite board
members meeting multiple times during the
month of December, they were still not ready
to move forward with supporting the remainder
of the proposed budget for next year. I have
spent hundreds of hours looking at the operating
budget, Eyring said, but I still have more
questions. The proposed 2016-2017 operating
budget, prepared by administrators, is compiled of
777 pages.
Former school board member Michael Joanis
was not happy that current board members still
appeared to be dragging their feet, even as 2015
was winding down. I dont understand why you
cant make a decision now! Joanis said. We are
where we are! Eyring said he wasnt prepared to
make a decision on any other budget reductions
that night, but expected the final numbers would
be decided at the next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 5.
In a final motion for the evening, Senibaldi
asked that administrators reduce the proposed
operating budget by another $275,000, providing
school board members with multiple options as to
where the cuts might be made. Senibaldis motion
was approved by a vote of 4 to 0. Whatever those
suggested reductions might be, school board
members are expected to reach a decision on
Jan. 5. Time is running out. This meeting will
be open to the public and will be held at the
Community Development Building, next to town
hall, beginning at 7 p.m.

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4 - December 31, 2015 | Pelham-Windham News

The Word Around Town...

Letters to our Editor

School Board Members

must Remain Informed
The Windham School Board (WSB) represents the community regarding
the oversight of our schools. We have excellent personnel working in the
district at all levels and they must be given the freedom to perform their
jobs. But that does not reduce or obviate the responsibilities of the Board to
perform a set of checks and balances as defined by Board Policy and required
by law.
Board members must remain informed about current district issues and
make educated decisions on behalf of those who elected us. Policy BCA-R
defines this responsibility.
Per Policy BCA-R (School Board Member Ethics):
Inform myself about current educational issues by individual study and
through participation in programs providing needed information
With important questions for the districts renovation project still
unanswered, School Board Vice Chairman Tom Murray and I visited
Windham Middle School and Golden Brook School on Dec. 7, prior to the
beginning of school. The purpose was to prepare for a committee meeting
on the following day. Those short visits triggered concerns that School
Board Policy BHC was violated even though Mr. Murray had made dozens
of these types of visits over the past year with no issues (and I had joined
him on several of them).
Policy BHC requires the superintendent be notified of school visits, but
it does not specify when (before or after the visits). This was never an issue
in the past, and it is important to point out the policy does not require
permission from the superintendent prior to any visit. More importantly,
what is being forgotten in this situation is that all principals personally
encouraged every Board member, as well as all members of the public to
visit our schools to learn firsthand about the issues that need to be addressed.
Had we known this visit would have raised any questions, we certainly
would have informed the superintendent beforehand instead of waiting
until afterwards.
By coincidence, the policy sub-committee had worked on policy BHC
last month, and brought it to the full committee this past week for a more
robust analysis and to gain the insights and input of district Administrators,
Teachers, and Instructional Assistants. It was a healthy conversation
that I believe will yield a refined policy that addresses everyones needs,
expectations and comfort levels ... as well as help to avoid misunderstandings
in the future that distract from the missions of district personnel,
administrators and the School Board.
Ken Eyring, Chairman, Windham School Board

Windham School District Budget Madness

The 2015 school year just ended on June 30, so it is an accurate indicator
of how much money is required to educate our children at the current level.
With this as a benchmark, I am apprehensive regarding the Administrations
School District budget and upcoming Windham Renovation Project for our
schools. I am not alone. Both are costly items, and many parents, residents,
and taxpayers share the same concerns.
Ive just learned that after subtracting the cost for bond payments on the
high school, the net increase in the School Districts proposed operating
budget for 2017 (compared to what was spent in 2015) is hovering around
$7 million. One of the reasons for the large difference is that nearly $3
million was unspent last year. In addition, the high school bond payments
will drop by nearly $1 million next year. That savings is not being returned
to the taxpayers, and an additional $3 million is being requested. Thats a
lot of money to educate the projected increase of 37 students in K-12!

The Renovation Project (at $38 million) needs trimming as well. I

understand the desire to include FACS (Family and Consumer Science) and
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) programs
at the middle school but the vote to spend $5 million that includes an
addition to the school for these programs may be premature. The entire
sixth grade will be removed from the MS in 2018 if the project passes. Do
we really need a multi-million dollar addition, or can we fit the programs
into the classrooms that will be freed up? Two SB members raised this
question and were ignored.
The renovations should be about needs and not wants. Some needs
must be addressed immediately, some can wait another year. Next year
should be about student comfort and space, solving overcrowding and
improved learning environments. It should be about enrichment and
math every day. It should not be about $17,000 state of the art, remote
on location TV/transmitting systems, individual Chrome books for every
fourth grader, Chrome Books for GBS elementary students, more iPads,
extra programs and new high school labs. What about middle school labs?
Those are an actual need and are more important.
We all desire the best for our childrens education, but we (the taxpayers of
Windham) do not have an endless supply of money. We need to express our
concerns to SB members and the Administration to cut out the wants. We
need to make them understand the impact their decisions have on everyone
in this town. Reason must prevail or each Warrant Article in March will be
Dead On Arrival.
Cynthia Finn, Windham

Impact of New Commercial Development

to Windham
Did you know that for every $1 received from residential property tax
income (currently 92% of total tax income); Windham pays out $1.05 in
services. On the flip side, for every $1 received from commercial property
tax income (currently 8% of total tax income); the town pays out 28 cents
in services. Reference Cost of Community Services Study found on
Windhams Town website.
The goal as stated in Windhams 2005 Master Plan was to increase the
commercial property tax contribution from 8 percent to 10 percent by 2015.
We did not do it. We actually lost a little ground. While we have had new
commercial development, residential development has increased at a quicker
pace, leading to the missed target.
Potential commercial development projects proposed for the Village
Center District, Professional Business and Technology District (PBT)
and Gateway District can help reduce the tax burden on the residential
property owner. The Market Square overlay district, which will be on
the ballot in March, is another tool to attract high quality commercial
development to Windham, which is what countless surveys have stated our
residents support. Imagine solving the overcrowding issues in our schools,
attracting and retaining quality teachers and offering more services to our
towns people. These issues take money to resolve. Planned and approved
commercial development produce revenue for the town.
The mission of the Windham Economic Development Committee
(WEDC) is to enhance the vitality of the local economy by supporting
existing business and attracting new businesses to Windham, encouraging
economic development consistent with the Windham Master Plan, and
promoting the spirit of the Town Motto: Old Values, New Horizons. For
more information on the WEDC, visit www.windhamnewhampshire.com/
committees/economic-development-committee.
Bob Higgins, Chair of WEDC Communications Subcommittee,
Windham

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Why Carly Fiorina?

That is a question I get asked when I share with folks that I am supporting
Republican Carly Fiorina for President. Well, its because I believe Carly has
the leadership qualities this country desperately needs.
One of the first things I noticed about Carly was that she has real
solutions to the problems facing us. Her zero-based budgeting will help
curb wasteful spending and account for each and every one of our tax
dollars. Our families budget this way, so do our towns. Washington should
too.
Carlys idea to use technology to allow Americans to hold President
Fiorina accountable as well Congress (yes, theres an app for that!) says to me
that she understands and respects the basis on which this country was built
- that we are supposed to be a government of, by, and for the people. This is
something the professional political class seems to always forget.
Carly has a no nonsense attitude and a commonsense approach. Shes a
conservative outsider with proven leadership abilities. She ran an $80 billion
company (thats bigger than any budget of any American state). And she
is indeed Hillarys worse nightmare. I hope you will join me in supporting
Carly.
Representative Kim Rice, Hudson

Windham School Board Member Responds

Much to my dismay I am compelled to respond to Mr. Murrays attempt
to once again portray me as unprofessional with his untruthful accusations.
Mr. Murray continues to provide misinformation in order to portray me as
divisive. Last weeks submission to another paper was one of his best fiction
writings to date.
His letter goes on to state that I fabricate issues then waste the boards
time discussing them. Mr. Murray is forgetting one very important fact
about this last issue of a policy violation by Chairman Ken Eyring and
himself. That is that the Superintendent brought this issue forward as a
concern. Unfortunately for him the facts get in the way of his allegations.
Have I been public about it, absolutely! As public servants I do not
believe that issues should be swept under the rug because it might cause
some heartburn. Maybe the bar I subscribe to is set too high for Ken and
Tom but then again, the other Board members seem to have no problem
following policy.
Most concerning is that near the end of his letter he states that back
in September, I positioned myself inches from his face and was yelling
profanities. Once again, it is very imaginative but also a falsehood. Mr.
Murray seems to forget that after the last time he published such nonsense,
School Board member Rob Breton clearly articulated in public and on TV,
that there was never any nose-to-nose confrontations. Maybe Tom might
want to rethink who is trying to assassinate whose character.
Finally Mr. Murray suggests that I am the root cause of the School
Boards long drawn out meetings. Mr. Murray has said on many occasions
that he is a data driven guy. Well here is some data. From March of 2013
to December of 2013,, prior to Mr. Murray and Mr. Eyring being on the
board, the School Board met approximately 22 times for a total of 71 hours.
This averages out to 3.2 hours per meeting.
Now compare that from March 2015 to December 2015 (does not count
Dec. 15, 17 or 22 of 2015 because the data was not available at the time of
writing) the School Board has met approximately 31 times for a total of 136
hours. This averages out to be 4.4 hours per meeting. That is an increase
of approximately 37.5 percent more time per individual meeting and 91
percent more total hours in meetings since Mr. Eyring and Mr. Murray
began working together.
Further if you compare Kens first year you will see this same trend. Mr.
Murray also suggested that the few times I was not at a meeting that things
went smoother. Here are the facts: I missed two meetings that I could see
from the minutes and one of them went on for over three hours with just
one agenda item.
In closing I will just say that I continue to hope that at some point several
members will follow through on their promise to strive to work better
together and adhere to policy and procedure.

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Friends of Windham Jaguars Baseball (FOWJB) and Friends of Windham

Jaguars Softball (FOWJS) are two new organizations, independent from
WHS Baseball and WHS Softball, formed by Windham families who are
committed to helping to provide a rewarding experience to current, past and
future WHS baseball and softball players.
Our goal is to provide support needed for both team programs including
financial, fan support, promotion and/or facilities improvements.
For the upcoming 2016 season, our two teams have many basic needs that
we are trying to help to fulfill including:
Field repair and maintenance for a safe playing field-edging the
infield, patching the outfield and loam
Funding for the necessary quantity and quality of hats, helmets,
bats, game/practice balls and other equipment
Batting cage area and overall field aesthetic improvements
Your sponsorship will help to provide these basic items for the 2016
season, and more importantly will help to provide Windham kids with a
positive, constructive and life-changing opportunity. We have a number of
levels of individual/family and business sponsorship to provide flexibility for
your budget (please see attached details and note that any donation level will
be accepted).
As FOWJB and FOWJS are raising funds through the WHS Jaguars
Boosters, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, your donation is tax-deductible.
We are also excited to announce our First Pitch fundraising event at the
Castleton on March 11, 2016. Stayed tuned for more details. Visit www.
friendsof jagssoftball.org and www.friendsofjagsbaseball.org.

Dennis Senibaldi, Windham

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Monday, December 21: 10:51 a.m. Medical aid, Gumpas Hill

Road. 7:53 p.m. Medical emergency, Sky View Drive. 9:04 p.m.
Investigate alarm activation, Marsh Road.
Tuesday, December 22: 8:19 a.m. Medical emergency, Windham
Road.
Wednesday, December 23: 10:37 a.m. Medical emergency, Eddy
Lane. 3:43 p.m. Motor vehicle accident, Bridge Street.
Thursday, December 24: 11:23 a.m. Investigate CO detector
activation, Kens Way. 3:56 p.m. Medical emergency, Windham
Road. 6:45 p.m. CO detector activation, Magnolia Drive.
Friday, December 25: 5:17 a.m. Motor vehicle accident, Mammoth
Road. 11:54 a.m. Medical emergency, Dutton Road. 2:50 p.m.
Medical emergency, Leonard Drive. 3:54 p.m. Medical assistance,
Heather Lee Lane.
Saturday, December 26: 10:19 a.m. Service call, Morgan Avenue.
10:37 a.m. Medical emergency, Eddy Lane. 5:41 p.m. Medical
emergency, Windham Road.
Sunday, December 27: 2:22 a.m. Medical emergency, Nashua
Road. 7:49 a.m. Service call, Heath Street. 9:46 a.m. Service call,
Hearthstone Road. 11:05 a.m. Medical emergency, Windham Road.
2:39 p.m. Investigate medical alarm activation, Shephard Road.

Pelham - Windham News | December 31, 2015 - 5

Good for the Community

Your Hometown Community Calendar

Saturday, January 2
All women of all ages are invited to join
us in honoring Our Lady for First Saturday
Devotions at St. Patrick Church in Pelham.
Mass begins at 8 a.m. followed by the by the
rosary at 8:30 and then join us for Faith Formation
and a pot luck breakfast and fellowship. For
more information call Linda at 930-6436 or email
WomenOfMaryNH@yahoo.com. Note: Adoration
and Divine Mercy Chaplet will be available before
Mass at 7:30 in the main church.

2nd

4th

Monday, January 4
Pelham GOP monthly meeting, 7 p.m.,
Pelham VFW Post, 6 Main St. Guest
speaker - candidate for Governor Chris
Sununu.

Mondays and/or Wednesdays, January 4 thru

February 15
Pelham Parks and Recreation is accepting
registrations for Adult Yoga Classes at 8 Nashua
Rd., Pelham, on Monday and/or Wednesday nights
from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. starting Jan. 4. The classes
are open to residents and non-residents age 18 to
98. Session III has six Monday classes and seven
Wednesday classes. You may choose to attend one
or both. Be sure to register at our office or print
a form from the website, www.pelhamweb.com/
recreation, and send in with a check, payable to
Town of Pelham. You may also register and pay
with MC/VISA online at webtrac.pelhamweb.com.
Email recreation@pelhamweb.com or call 6352721 with any questions. No experience needed
but note that this is an active class. Bring water
bottle and floor mat.
Tuesday, January 5
Vision Boarding Your Way to Success
ht
in 2016, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pelham Public
Library. Free and open to the public.
When you look toward your future, what
do you see? Join us as guest presenter Diane
MacKinnon helps us to envision our own success
and prosperity throughout the coming New
Year using simple crafting tools and your wildest
dreams! Youll leave with your own completed
vision board to help you focus your energies in
2016.

Wednesday, January 6
The Womans Service Club of
Windhams next meeting will be held
today. This will be the Scholarship
recipients luncheon. Luncheon begins
at 11:30 a.m. followed by the two recipients,
Emily Bouley and Siddhart Agarwal of Windham,
receiving their awards after successfully completing
their first semester. The meeting will follow the
awards. Guests welcome, bring friends, neighbor
and enjoy! Find out what we are about. Contact
membership chairman Sue Violi at 889-0578 for
information.

6th

Fridays, January 8 thru 29

Drop-In Technology Sessions. Free
ht
and open to the public. Need help
with computers or other personal
communication devices? Drop in at the
Pelham Public Library Friday afternoons from 1 to
2 p.m. and see our Adult Services Librarian! Get
help setting up or accessing your hardware and
software, or stop in for a little refresher guidance
for commonly used applications such as Microsoft
Office, Internet Browsing, Video Chat, Facebook,
and other types of social media. Need help with
something else? Just ask!

Sundays, January 10 thru February 14

Lacrosse Skills Clinic from 5 to 6 p.m.
for girls and 6 to 7 p.m. for boys at Pelham
Elementary School gym. This Boys and
Girls Lacrosse instructional clinic is open
to ages 6 and up. Participants should arrive in
appropriate sneakers and comfortable clothing.
Boys need to bring a lacrosse stick, helmets and
gloves. Girls are required to bring a lacrosse stick
and goggles. All players are advised to bring a
water bottle. Clinics are geared towards newer
players to teach the basics of the game. Learn
the fundamentals and be taught skills for lacrosse
offensively and defensively. You will have great fun
with the coaches and become a better player! No
experience is necessary. Program fee. Visit www.
pelhamweb.com/recreation to print registration
forms. You may also register and pay online with
MC/VISA atwebtrac.pelhamweb.com. Space is
limited; first come, first served.

0th

Tuesdays, January 12 thru February 16

Total Body Strength and Sculpt Classes!
Open to teen and adults, ages 16 and
over. Classes will be held from 6:30 to
7:30 p.m. at the Pelham Senior Center, 8
Nashua Rd. This is a total body exercise class
for all levels designed to strengthen, sculpt and
tone every muscle group utilizing free weights,
resistance bands and your own body weight.
Strength training is proven to help improve
muscle strength, maintain bone health and aid in
improving metabolism. Bring your own mat, water
bottle, and good supportive sneakers. You may
bring your own weights and bands. Try before you
buy free class with no obligation at the start of the
classes. Program fee. Register with Pelham Parks
and Recreation office at 6 Village Green. You may
register and pay online at webtrac.pelhamweb.
com. Space is limited; first come, first served.
Email recreation@pelhamweb.com or call 6352721 with any questions.

12th

Six Week Meditation Session, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Copay: $20 for six-week session or $5 drop-in rate.
Advance sign-up recommended! Valerie FordeGalvin will host this series on Mindful Meditation
at the Pelham Public Library. Each workshop will
begin with a small introduction and overview of
meditation and its current uses. Then, Valerie will
teach us various techniques and mantras and guide
us in one or two different types of meditations.
Come, relax, unwind, and show yourself a little
love.
Saturday, January 16
82nd Annual Pelham Firefighters Ball
at the Harris Pelham Inn, 65 Ledge Rd.,
Pelham, from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Hors
doeuvres and drinks at 6 p.m., dinner
served at 7 p.m. Come join us for food, friends,
door prizes, music, silent auction with sport
memorabilia, photo booth and a whole lot of
dancing! $45 per place. Price includes door prize
drawings, ors doeuvres, three course meal and
dessert. Tickets are available at the Pelham Fire
Department, 635-2703. Sponsored by the Pelham
Firemans Association and Professional Firefighters
of Pelham L4546.

6th

Wednesday, January 20
Cookbook Explorers! 12:30 p.m.
(daytime session) and 6:30 p.m. (evening
session). Free and open to the public.
Come join us at the Pelham Public Library
for our inaugural meeting of Cookbook Explorers!,
a group dedicated to food! Each month, well
choose a new type of cuisine or a new diet to
explore. Youll have the chance to share your
cooking triumphs and travails, and perhaps leave
with a great new recipe (or 12).

20th

Saturday, January 30 & Tuesday, February 9

SAT Practice Test at the Nesmith Library
for Windham High School Students. On
Jan. 30 and Feb. 9, the Nesmith Library will
offer a full length SAT practice test. Practice
makes perfect, so grab your No. 2 pencils and
calculators and join us. Space is limited so call
(432-7154) or email sbrikiatis@nesmithlibrary.org
to register. Registration is required and will open
on Mon., Jan. 4 for juniors and Wed. Jan. 6 for all
high school students. Jan. 30 doors open at 8:15
a.m. and test starts promptly at 8:30. Feb. 9 doors
open at 3:15 p.m. and test starts promptly at 3:30.

0th

Saturday, January 30
Supervisors of the Checklist for the Town of
Pelham will be in session on from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
in the Pelham Police Departments Community
Room, 6 Village Green. This is the last day for
supervisors to accept voter registration applications.
No additions or corrections shall be made to the
checklist after this session, until Election Day,
except as provided in RSA 659:12, RSA 654:8 II.
No change of party registrations shall be accepted
(RSA 654:32). Reports of transfer, reports of death,
removal of names allowed (RSA 654:36, 37, 44).

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Courtesy photos

Girl Scouts Made Christmas Merrier

submitted by Erin Brink
On Dec. 13, Windham
Girl Scout Troops 10345 and
12403 teamed up to host the
Second Annual Toys for Tots
Drive and Cosmic Bowling
event at Park Place Lanes in
Windham. What a perfect
afternoon. It was a fun time
for everyone who attended.
This event was a great success
and most certainly made
Christmas a lot happier for
more than 50 children in our
community.
Thank you to all of who contributed by helping to
plan, spreading the word and donating toys at the
Cosmic Bowling Toys for Tots event.

Reading is a Way of Life

at Windham Middle School

Staff photo by Doug Robinson

by Doug Robinson
book Pinned because
Windham Middle
he could relate to the
Schools Reading Room
frustrations and the
embraces the love of
challenges of the main
reading and the sharing
character. Like Connor,
of that reading with all
the book tells the story
students. Students at
about a school wrestler.
WMS are so excited
The kids really enjoy
about reading that
trilogies, commented
the school embraces
Candace St. Onge,
reading centers, reading
seventh grade language
clubs, book sharing,
arts and reading teacher.
and a school library
Dystopian (Zombie)
that checks out over
books are also popular
a 1,000 books on a
with the students.
monthly basis.
In addition, students
Its cool to read,
learn the benefits of
commented Patricia
different genres of fiction,
Wons, school principal.
non-fiction, realistic
It is not unusual to
fiction, action, romance,
see kids swapping
history, biography, or
books in the hallway
history books.
as they move from
Some classrooms
class to class, and it is
within
WMS have a
Ben Hoyt, Conner Sills, Eva Milner, and Paige DeVries enjoy their
not unusual to see them
special reading area,
reading and book club pursuits.
reading their Nooks or
complete with pillows,
iPads as they walk. Our
rugs, and comfy chairs.
kids are reading all the time and this is very exciting.
Sixth grader Ben Hoyt talked about how his
Students are encouraged to read books that not
enjoyment with the discovery of new characters, the
only challenge them to think, but also that special
climax of the story, and then the resolution of the
book where they can relate. Connor Sills read the
conflict within a novel.

A special thank you to the Marines who attended

the event. The Girl Scouts truly appreciated their
time and service.
The Windham Girl Scouts extend the merriest of
holiday wishes and a wonderful New Year to all.

State Rep Urges School Board

to File Lawsuit for $11M
in Past Adequacy Aid
by Barbara OBrien
New Hampshire State Representative David Bates of Windham has been in the forefront for
months now attempting to recoup state educational adequacy aid denied the school district
when a cap was placed on the allowed amount several years ago.
This past fall, the City of Dover filed lawsuit against the State of New Hampshire stating
that it was unconstitutional to provide certain communities with less adequacy aid than was
recently established through the Claremont Decision. The issue became a serious problem
for certain communities; those deemed wealthier than others, when the economy tanked
and budgets were ravaged. Bates said he estimates that Windham has been underfunded by
about $11 million thus far. Windham is one of only a few communities statewide that has seen
student enrollment grow in the past few years.
The situation is that the Dover lawsuit asks only for the additional money owed effective this
past September 1, moving forward, and does not address any underfunding to districts prior to
that time. Bates is urging school board members to consider filing a separate lawsuit, one that
solely addresses years gone by.
When Dover filed its lawsuit, it was considered a test case and other towns were urged not
to join in. The issue Bates is now raising, however, is totally separate from Dovers legal action.
Windham has been short-changed for the past several years, Bates said. The longer we wait
to assert our claim, the less money we will be able to recoup, he said, referring to the statute
of limitations. Were talking many millions of dollars, he noted.
We need to do whatever we can to recoup this money, School Board Chairman Ken Eyring
said. School district attorney Gordon Graham, who also attended the Dec. 22 school board
meeting, said, Its on everybodys mind. Bates said it was not possible to join in on a lawsuit
with Dover at this point.
Although the New Hampshire attorney general is not contesting Dovers lawsuit, the
president of the New Hampshire Senate and the speaker of the New Hampshire House have
decided to take on the case. It is anticipated that the next session in the ongoing saga will take
place on Feb. 22 in Strafford County Superior Court.

6 - December 31, 2015 | Pelham - Windham News

Beautication Committees
Ask for Funding

Heritage Baptist Church

Shares Christmas with Caroling Program

New England
Real Estate

Staff photos by Jay Hobson

by Barbara OBrien
There are two newly formed beautification committees currently
working in Windham, and both have asked that money be included in
the proposed 2016 operating budget to allow them to move forward.
The first committee is focusing on the Route 111 corridor; the second
on the town common off North Lowell Road.
Selectmens Chairman Al Letizio, Jr., who also serves on the
beautification committee focusing on the Route 111 corridor, up to
Wall Street, asked that $25,000 be put into the town budget to make
things look nice again after the years of construction along that
stretch.
According to Letizio and Community Development Director Laura
Scott, phase one of the plans to beautify this area include the posting
of four Welcome to Windham signs; ones that are aesthetically
pleasing. Signs would be posted at Exit 3 off Route 93, both along the
north and southbound exit ramps; at the intersection of Route 111,
crossing Route 28, near the Windham Rail Trail, and in the area near
Klemms Store.
Scott said that areas where the signs would be located would be
landscaped with perennial plantings and river rock, making them
low maintenance. They would also be lit with energy-efficient light
fixtures. The signs, themselves, would be no maintenance, Scott
noted.
The only concerns noted were by Selectman Roger Hohenberger
who said he wasnt sure plants would do well in an area where road
salt will be used and from Selectman Ross McLeod who expressed
concern about spending money to light the signs. Headlights will do
the job, McLeod noted. Vice-Chairman Joel Desilets said he liked
the idea of lighting the signs, as long as it is done properly for both
aesthetics and safety.
A second planned phase would involve planting trees and installing
upward-directed lighting. Phase 2 is not planned for 2016, however.
The second beautification committee, which is responsible for
improving the appearance of the town common area, asked to include
$5,000 in the 2016 operating budget in order to hire a landscape
architect to design a project proposal for 2017. Town Administrator
David Sullivan said the services being offered by the landscape
architect for only $5,000 are actually valued at about $15,000.
Selectmen voted 3 to 2 to approve the requested $30,000 in
the proposed 2016 town operating budget. Voting in favor were
Selectmen Bruce Breton, Roger Hohenberger and Joel Desilets. Voting
in opposition were Selectmen Letizio and McLeod. The money for the
beautification projects will be taken from the $390,000 roads budget.

Narrator and Heritage Baptist Church member

Wayne Webster links the three components: the
foretelling, the event and the reason filling in the
spaces between the music
The mens ensemble performs Once In Royal Davids City. From left: Jim Willett, Jon Giegerich, Pastor
Matthew Fagan, Josiah Fagan, Allen Brunson and Assistant Pastor/Music Director Andrew French.

Visitors Catherine and Al Marcelle enjoy the

telling of the Christmas story through music
at the Carols and Dessert program hosted by
Heritage Baptist Church at Searles Chapel.
by Jay Hobson
On Dec. 20, Windhams Heritage Baptist
Church hosted a program of Christmas
hymns entitled When Love Came Down
at the Searles Chapel under the direction of
Assistant Pastor and Music Director Andrew
French.
This is the third time weve done this;
its an opportunity to share Christmas with
the community. We started working on it in
October and it includes the voices several
Assistant Pastor Andrew French leads the congregation and childrens choir in O Come All Ye Faithful.
choirs and the congregation is involved as
well, French said.
The capacity audience heard the classic
popular hymns O Come All Ye Faithful,
What Child Is This, Angels We Have
Heard on High, Hark The Herald Angels
Sing, O Come, O Come Emmanuel,
Gloria Deo and Silent Night as well as
some lesser known carols such as Once
In Royal Davids City, Thou Didst Leave
Thy Throne and the title song When Love
Came Down.
The program, much
like an Easter cantata,
told the story of the birth
of Jesus Christ through
dignified music with
church member Wayne
Webster as narrator
unfolding the promise of
his coming, the event of
his arrival and the reason
The Heritage Baptist Church Ladies Ensemble performs What Child Is This? at the Carols and Dessert
that he came.
event held at Searles Chapel. Front row, from left: Joanne Anderson, Gioia Marinelli, Amy Fagan, and
The childrens choir
Katie
Rowe. Back row: Aline Judge, Beth Marinelli, Natalie Willett, JessieAnne Brunson and Kara Strozza.
and those in attendance
sang Gloria Deo and
Marcelle from Windham, said that the
Catherine Marcelle said.
the combined choirs
program sets the mood for the holidays.
Following the music-filled program
sang O Come, Little
It really sets the mood for the holidays,
those in attendance mingled with
Children.
and the kids are so important and need to
scrumptious homemade baked goods and
One visiting couple,
be encouraged and heard and the more
beverages giving the Christmas season a
Catherine and Al
people that come to see them the better,
positive start.

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by Bob Gibbs
Science fiction author C.J. Daniels
held a book signing as well as a question
and answer session at the Nesmith
Library. C.J. was on hand signing copies
of his novels; The Coming, The
Second Coming, Commando Inc:
The Darklight and the science fiction
anthology Lost Planets.
In Lost Planets, C.J.s short story
The GodKiller appears alongside
other authors writings, including Ray
Bradbury, William R. Burkett, Jr., H.L.
Osterman, James Blish, H. Beam Piper,
Fritz Leiber, John W. Campbell, Phillip
K. Dick, Shirrel Rhodes, Bruce Silton,
Mabel Seely, Henry Kuttner, Henry
Hesse, William Campbell Gault, and the
legendary Edgar Allan Poe.
Daniels also spoke about his
upcoming book, which he is very
excited about. This will be the first
Windham resident Jennifer Smith looks on as C.J. Daniels signs one of his novels for her.
time he has had a female as the main
character. He stated that using a female
in a way that people can understand and relate to. He is
character allowed me to be more sarcastic
now working on the next Coming novel.
in the ways of looking at things.
All of his books he believes are grounded in real life,
Staff photo by Bob Gibbs

25 Indian Rock Rd. #15 (rte 111), Windham, 1 mile off exit 3 rte 93

Windham Native C. J. Daniels Holds

Book Signing at Nesmith Library

Closed Mondays, Tues -Thurs 11am-9:30 pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10pm, Sun noon-9:30pm

Designating Three ERZs in Windham

submitted by Laura Scott
The Division of Economic Development at the NH
Department of Resources and Economic Development
have designated 10 parcels of land, within three areas in
Windham, Economic Revitalization Zones. These three
designated areas are along Route 111 between Hardwood
Road and North Lowell Road on the north and Fellows
Road and the Post Office on the south.
To see the map of these three new designated areas,

visit www.windham-nh.com. This designation was

requested by the town to help stimulate economic
development, expand the commercial and industrial
base, create new jobs, reduce sprawl, and increase tax
revenues. Businesses proposing to locate in these areas
are able to apply to the state for a tax credit to be applied
towards their state tax liabilities. For more information,
contact Community Development Director Laura Scott at
Lscott@windhamnh.gov.

Pelham - Windham News | December 31, 2015 - 7

Breaking Ground in Windham for the Carrier Funeral Home

with an egress on both roads, while the building will sit back
on the lot; it is designed for easy access and ample parking.
Windham has never had a funeral home before explained
Carrier, as he described the new facility, Our funeral home
is designed around two viewing rooms and will include an
on-site crematory, a cafe, a function hall downstairs for mercy
meals as well as a kids playroom and reflection garden. I felt
that Southern New Hampshire needed a brand new state-ofthe-art funeral home, and the town of Windham has graciously
welcomed us, stated Carrier.
Carrier wanted to mention that Salem Co-operative Bank is
financing the new funeral home and he wanted to thank the
Salem Co-operative Bank for both financing and for all the help
they have given his family in developing this business. He
mentioned how welcoming the town of Windham has been in
the review and permitting process for the funeral home.
When asked about why a funeral home, Bob, who will be
owner and funeral director, outlined his career in this very
personal service business, having worked for 29 years, starting
at Goundrey Funeral Home in Salem, then working for Douglas

The artists rendering

Visiting before the ground breaking are State Representive Fred Doucette ,
Windham Fire Chief Tom McPherson and Bob Carrier.

Makeing it official Bob Carrier and his business partner Bob Scarelli move
some dirt. Watching from the left are Ann Lally, president of the Salem Cooperative Bank; Jen Ashford, fianc to Bob Carrier; Lori Scarelli, and from the
Salem Co-operative Bank Glenn Strauss and Bonnie Breen.
The Windham community, with friends and family present,
saw Robert Carrier and his business partner and cousin, Robert
Scarelli, put shovels in the ground at 38 Range Road to signal the
development of the Carrier Family Funeral Home and Crematory.
The corner of Range Road and Lawson Road is the location

Site plan
& Johnson Funeral Home in Salem for 17 years. Currently working for the
Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home in Methuen, Mass., where he will be
until his new funeral home is built, he felt with the growth of Windham it
should have its own funeral complex. The Carrier Family Funeral home is
scheduled to be open by September/October of 2016.
Carrier most of all wanted to thanks his family and friends for their love
and support.
Five of the six brothers were on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking. Hampstead Fire
Chief Michael Carrier, William Carrier, Manchester Boston Regional Fire Chief
Jim Carrier, and Derry Assistant Public Works Director Tom Carrier;
not pictured retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel Rick Carrier.
First on left in the photo is the his cousin Bob Scarelli, a partner with the home.

Proposed Construction Presented at Forum

six months of interest only;
by Barbara OBrien
The first principal and interest payment would be in the
One of the goals surrounding the proposed school construction project
2017-2018 school year;
is to educate the public as much as possible before the issue goes to a
The principal payments would be steady each year of the
vote this coming March. In an attempt to do so, a public forum was held
debt service schedule;
at Windham High School earlier this month. Unfortunately, however, the
No building aid, additional adequacy aid, impact fees or
auditorium was mostly empty, with less than 20 residents scattered about
commercial residential
any other offsetting revenue is projected or calculated.
the rows of empty seats. While representatives of the architectural and
According to calculations presented during the public forum,
Wayne Tarbox
10 Lowell Rd
engineering firms were in attendance, as well as Interim Superintendent
the tax rate impact would be 47 cents the first year (six months
Windham,
NH
03087
603-289-1409
Tina McCoy and Building and Grounds Committee Chairman Paul
of interest only) and a high of $1.29 in the highest year (2017www.tarboxroofing.com
wtroofs@comcast.net
Gosselin, there was no one from the Windham School Board in view.
2018). The tax rate impact is forecast to gradually decrease
The forum was recorded, however, and made available on cable TV, so,
over the life of the bond, hitting a low of 68 cents per $1,000
perhaps, many other residents took the time to watch.
assessed valuation by 2041-2042.
The Windham School Board and Building and Grounds Committee
In response to a residents question, Dr. McCoy said that
have worked very hard attempting to solve the space constraints
plans to phase the proposal over a two-year period should
throughout the district, Dr. McCoy said; adding that the proposal being
minimize the impact on students during construction periods.
put forth is a district-wide solution. Were not asking for extra space,
Construction time would be maximized during the summer
but adequate space, she explained, referring to the approximately $39
months, she explained. Portable classrooms (12) would be
898-2236
million proposal.
required during the first phase of the construction at Golden
The space crunch in Windham has been many, many years in the
Screened Loam, Round Stone, Sand, Gravel, Bark Mulch
Brook School for approximately one year. Ingrid Nichols,
making, McCoy stated. Weve only been able to deal with it for this
of Banwell Architects, said the priorities during construction
Pick up or Delivery
length of time because of the phenomenal staff. However, weve
would be safety, air quality and minimizing noise pollution.
reached the point where theres nowhere else to turn, she continued.
Former school board
We are simply out of space!
Michael Joanis, one of only
According to McCoy, the lack of available space has resulted in an
three residents who came
inability to deliver the best educational services to students. The middle
to the microphone at the
school doesnt even have a [full-service] library, anymore, she said.
end of the public forum,
Were really feeling the crunch. The latest proposal to solve the issues
said, I dont see Golden
is a viable plan, though, McCoy stated, adding that she hopes residents
Brook School anymore.
will keep an open mind while learning the details of the current
Its gone. Ninety-five
PLLC
proposal.
percent of this project is
After many months of investigating possibilities and reviewing possible
a new building. The only
options, school board members decided to go with Option C Prime,
semblance to the current
which includes renovations and an addition to Golden Brook School, plus
Golden Brook School is the
major changes to Windham Middle School.
existing cafetorium. For all
According to Brad Prescott, of Banwell Architects, the proposed project
intents, you are building a
would include a new septic system, 100 new parking spaces, additional
new school, he said.
classrooms, a regulation size soccer field, a loop road with an area for
A public hearing on the
drop-off and the picking up of students, intended to resolve the traffic
proposed construction
congestion with school buses, and two new play areas. The renovated and
bond and the proposed
enlarged Golden Brook would accommodate approximately 900 students
2016-2017 operating
from pre-school through fourth grade. The proposed alterations would
budget is scheduled for
retain the existing kindergarten wing and gymnasium. The facility would
Friday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. at
have two stories over the existing pod area.
Windham High School.
Current problems listed at Golden Brook include undersized core
spaces, irregularly shaped classrooms resulting in unusable space, teacher
workspaces in corridors, having to go through one
classroom to access another room, and undersized
support staff areas.
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If Golden Brook is renovated and added onto as
proposed, fifth and sixth grades would be at Center
School, with seventh and eighth grade classes at
Super Lean
Windham Middle School, opening up more space
in those two facilities. The third graders currently
/lb.
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housed at Windham High School would return to
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Windham Middle School, which is actually
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not a true middle school, suffers from undersized
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of various safety violations. The building is
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facilities also need to be renovated. Currently,
there is no technical education or family consumer
science spaces.
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the following assumptions:
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Cost estimates for the projects would result
in a warrant article authorization amount of
$39,176,093, which includes the Golden
/lb.
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Brook School project, the Middle School
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addition/renovations and a land acquisition of
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8 - December 31, 2015 | Pelham - Windham News

New Childrens Director Brings Adventure

to Pelham Public Library
by Tom Tollefson
Childrens Director Betsy Vecchi is the
newest face at the Pelham Public Library.
Vecchi isnt your ordinary librarian. She
hasnt just read about the world; she has
seen parts of it in close interaction. The
Massachusetts native was a member of the
Peace Corps for several years following
graduating from Grinnell College in Iowa
with as anthropology major.
I got out of college not knowing what to
do with my life and thought I would travel
and help people. It seemed like a good idea
at the time, Vecchi said.
Her adventures with the Peace Corps
brought her to the Dominican Republic
for several years to work in the education
field. She was there to give fresh ideas from
a different perspective with the motivation
of helping to expand the educational
development of the community.
It was amazing. It gave me an
opportunity to travel and see other places
and other people and really get to know
New Pelham Public Library Childrens
46 Lowellshe
Rd, said
Windham
1533
952-4848culture,
Dracut 978-957-7170
another
about
her Lakeview Ave,Director
Betsy Vecchi hopes to attract younger
experience.
children to the library after school.
She started out working in a small town in

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952-4848 46 Lowell Rd, Windham 1533 Lakeview Ave, Dracut 978-957-7170

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Staff photo by Tom Tollefson

the mountains called Bohechio, doing

teacher training and working with
children with special needs. She then
spent a year living in Santo Domingo
teaching autistic children before taking
on the role of a fourth grade teacher.
It was really fun, and I had a lot of
freedom with the curriculum, Vecchi
said. There werent any textbooks
except for math. We focused on
certain authors and built a rainforest in
our classroom and did lots of hands-on
activities.
After returning to the United
States, Vecchi decided to take a new
challenge and direction. She returned
to school at Simmons College in Boston
to earn a masters degree in library and
information science.
I had worked as a teacher and
wanted to stay involved in literacy, but
not in a school, she said.
Vecchi ended up working as a
childrens librarian at the public library
in Southbridge, Mass., for a year and a
half before coming to Pelham.
While at Southbridge, she ran a
drop-in weekly craft program, ran a
LEGO club, and developed positive relations with the
school district. She hopes to do much of the same in
Pelham.
I want to make the childrens department a
welcoming place where children can look around,
hang out, explore, and do all kinds of things. I want to
make it a fun place, but also a safe place and a place to
support their education, Vecchi said about her vision
for the childrens department. I love that libraries
give people access to all kinds of different resources,
whether its books, movies, or any online resources.
Currently the childrens program has three weekly
story times for children, infant to preschool age, and
an ever popular Daddy and Donuts once a month.
Vecchi plans to bring back a weekly LEGO club and
make connections in the school system by setting up
classroom visits and organizing field trips to the library
to introduce children, not just to the love of reading and
learning, but all the resources the library has to offer
them as well. In addition, she has goals of improving
the childrens programs offered in the afterschool
time slot. Right now we have really strong teen
programming, and I want to get the younger kids in
here after school as well, she said.

Tentative
Agreement
Reached on
Teacher Contract

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by Barbara OBrien
Following a nearly 13-hour negotiation session
between representatives of the Windham Education
Association and school district administrators, with
assistance from an impartial mediator, a tentative
agreement has been reached on a new teacher
contract.
The mediation session was held on Monday, Dec.
21, after the prior negotiations reached an impasse.
The mediation session began early in the morning
that day and concluded shortly before midnight.
Representing the Windham School Board were
Chairman Ken Eyring and board member DanielPopovici-Muller. Lead negotiator for the teachers was
Ryan OConnor.
Although no specifics were reported outside of the
negotiations, the issues that were said to have been
discussed included salaries, benefits and working
conditions. Currently, space constraints continue to
plague the school district, forcing numerous teachers to
share classrooms, utilize sub-standard space or operate
off of carts; traveling around the building from place to
place.
The existing teacher contract, which expires at
the end of the current 2015-2016 school year, was a
long-time coming. It was ratified two years ago, after
teachers had worked for two years without a valid
contract.
Hopes are that the proposed contract will be ratified
during a meeting either on January 4 or 5. At the
conclusion of the recent mediation session, School
District Business Administrator Adam Steel said he was
very pleased with the process. Im happy to hear we
have a tentative agreement, Steel said.
Popovici-Muller said he believes there is a lot of trust
between the negotiation teams, which resulted in a
positive climate. This process requires a lot of work
all around, Popovici-Muller said.
Once the proposed contract is ratified by both sides
of the negotiation, the issue will be taken to voters
through a warrant article at next Marchs annual school
district meeting.

Design Change Presented

for Proposed School
Renovations
by Barbara OBrien
Several weeks after Windham School Board members decided to move
forward with what has been dubbed Option C Prime, which includes
renovations and an addition to Golden Brook School, as well as major
remodeling to Windham Middle School, the design team has come forth
with proposed changes that could eliminate the need for an addition to the
quasi-middle school building.
A few weeks earlier, school board members had approved moving
Option C Prime forward by a vote of 3 to 2. Voting to proceed with
the plan were Rob Breton, Daniel Popovici-Muller and Dennis Senibaldi.
Voting in support of the Golden Brook addition/renovations, but not the
proposed changes to the middle school, were Chairman Ken Eyring and
Vice-Chairman Tom Murray. Eyring and Murray both indicated that they
believe student enrollment will decrease over the next several years and a
larger middle school wont be needed.
On Dec. 17, Brad Prescott of Banwell Architects came back with a
proposal that could eliminate the need for an addition to the middle school.
Although named Windham Middle School, the facility is not approved
as such by the New Hampshire Department of Education, because several
required elements in the program are missing. Windham Middle School
is actually an upper elementary school. Prescott said he had designed the
altered plans at the request of Interim Superintendent Tina McCoy.
Two of the aspects missing from the middle school as it currently stands
are Family Consumer Science, once known as home economics, and
Technical Education, often referred to as shop class. Based on Prescotts
newest design, it would not be necessary to build additional space for these
two programs, if enrollment for the next five years declines, as projected.
The Family Consumer Science program could be housed in 1,500 square
feet of space near the existing kitchen and the Technical Education program
could be located upstairs in a 1,600-square-foot space at the end of the
hallway. Prescott said the reallocation of space would mean displacing a
workroom for the instructional aides, some storage space, custodial space
and office space for the information technology manager. One individual
attending the meeting suggested putting a portable building up to take care
of these overflow services.
Resident Bob Coole, who rarely misses a school board meeting, and
previously worked on the school districts custodial staff, suggested that the
location of the Family Consumer Science space and the Technical Education
area be reversed, explaining that it made more sense to have the wood
shop downstairs, away from classrooms. School board members liked
Cooles suggestion, commenting that the future Tech Ed space should be
named The Coole Room.
Prescott said he didnt have a cost estimate, yet, for the latest proposed
room arrangements, but was certain it would be considerably less than the
$5 million estimated cost of building on to the middle school, as included in
Option C Prime. This latest design could be completed during one summer,
Prescott said, thereby not causing any disturbance for students. There is no
guarantee, however, that this design will assure that all curriculum needs
would be met.
Building and Grounds Committee Chairman Paul Gosselin expressed
appreciation to Prescott and Banwell Architects for the latest design. This is
an early Christmas gift to the Town of Windham, Gosselin said. There was
no charge to Windham to work up the concept.
I like the concept, generally speaking, Murray said. It should be
further investigated. Senibaldi said he wanted to know more about
the educational impact of the new design. We need to know if this is
detrimental to the kids or not, Senibaldi said. I want candid feedback
from staff and administrators.
I cannot tell if its viable or not, Popovici-Muller said, but, of course, it
should be looked at. This could be the difference between a construction
bond passing or not. Breton agreed that the newest design should be
further vetted.
Im on board, Breton said. Eyring also approved looking into the idea
further. Im 100 percent in sync, he said. School board members voted
unanimously (5 to 0) to move forward with having Banwell Architects further
develop the new concept for Windham Middle School.
In other business, school board members voted unanimously to support a
full-service kitchen in the proposed construction project for Golden Brook
School (and to determine if a fire suppression system will be required), to
have the building and grounds committee, in conjunction with Facilities
Manager John Pratte, determine the existence of hazardous materials (i.e.
asbestos) at Golden Brook, and to allocate $40,000 to fund a contract with
Tighe and Bond to formulate engineering plans for a loop road and septic
system, including any testing required to determine the existence of ledge in
the area. School board members also approved expending up to $66,000 for
a contract with Banwell Architects for a partial schematic design.
These latest two endeavors result in the original $100,000 that was
allocated in this years operating budget for architectural and engineering
fees, being overspent. On the recommendation of Business Administrator
Adam Steel, school board members agreed to use money from the fuel line
to pay for these services. Steel said that he anticipates that there will be
about $82,000 unexpended in the fuel account when the current school
year comes to an end, as the result of lower prices and the mild winter, so
far, at least.
Following the school boards decision to spend the extra money on
engineering and design services, former school board member Michael
Joanis took exception with their decision. I ask that you not spend money
to make last minute reductions in a $38 million proposal to renovate Golden
Brook School, Joanis said. Id rather see the money spent at Center School
for new security doors (as requested by the administration). Dont waste
the money, Joanis said. The project probably wont pass anyway. Joanis
said, several weeks ago, that he intended to bring a citizen petition forward
to voters in March, asking that they approve the construction of a new
seventh and eighth grade school on school district-owned land off London
Bridge Road. That proposal failed to gain approval on two prior occasions.
Former school board member Barbara Coish said that, even if the
proposed construction at Golden Brook doesnt pass this coming March, a
similar project will likely be back on the ballot again in 2017. Coish said
she had no problem spending the money to procure more detailed designs.
Chairman Eyring said he believes having the more detailed drawings will
allow school board members to present much more accurate cost estimates
to voters this coming March. School board members will meet again
on Tuesday, Jan. 5, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Community Development
Building, next to town hall. The public is welcome.

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Susan McInnis, president and
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with a generous donation for
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Windham Womens Business
Connection is a group of female
business owners, executives and
entrepreneurs who live and/or
work in Windham or surrounding
towns. Also in the photo are RuthAnne Calandra and Sally Hunt of
WHH.
Courtesy photo

Pelham - Windham News | December 31, 2015 - 9

Pelham~WindhamSports
Pelham Basketball Provides Solid Answers
on the Hardwood with Three Wins

Pelham~WindhamSports

by Mike Bourk
Pelham graduated four of its five starters from
their championship team. Who would replace
those minutes? Those points? Those rebounds?
Could Coach Matt Regan come up with a game
plan without four players that started every game
last season? How good would Keith Brown be
without the 2014-2015 supporting cast? Pelham
High School basketball fans wouldnt have to
wait long into the new season to find out whether
or not this years team was up to the task as they
opened the season on the road against the teams
they played in the semi-finals and finals last
spring.
There would be no warm up games against
lesser schools for Coach Regans Pythons. Pelham
opened their 2016 season in Litchfield taking on
Campbell. The Pythons bested the Cougars in
the semifinals last March by just a single point.
Campbell hung close to Pelham for the first
quarter which ended with the Pythons up 19-17.
The short-handed Cougars could not contain
Pelhams inside game of Keith Brown and
Cam DeLoreto. Brown was a solid contributor
throughout the game totaling 40 points while

leading Pelham to an 85-66 victory. Ryan

Nystrom scored 16 points while
knocking down four three-point
shots. Kyle Frank also hit double
digits in scoring by netting 13 points.
For the Pythons second test they
traveled to Jaffrey to take on their
2015 finalist. Conant jumped out
to a 17-10 lead after the first quarter
holding Brown to just two points.
After a sluggish first quarter, Pelham
outscored Conant 40-19 over the
next two periods taking a 50-36 lead.
Brown scored 23 points in those
periods and finished the game as the
leading scorer with 25. Pelham won
the game by a final score of 65-55.
DeLoreto also had a big game for the
Pythons scoring 18 points. Frank and
Nystrom each chipped in with seven
points.
For the Pythons first home game
they hosted Bow. The game followed
a pattern similar to the first two
games where the opponent stayed
Robert Ryan holds the ball out of harms way,
close for the first quarter, and the
waiting on a teammate to break toward the basket.
Pythons pulled away in the second

and third quarters as Pelham moved to 3-0 in

NHIAA Division 3 play with a 71-43 victory.
The Falcons came into the game 2-0. The end
of the first quarter saw the score knotted at 14.
Over the next two quarters the Pythons outscored
the Falcons 44-13 to put the game away. In the
second quarter, Frank had two key offensive
rebounds, one of which he dished to DeLoreto
for an easy basket. The big story though was
once again Keith Brown. Brown was spot on with
his outside shooting nailing seven three-point
shots. He finished the game with 35 points and
has an even 100 through the teams first three
games. Coach Matt Regan talked about Browns
game, As good a shooter as Keith is, his best
quality is probably his passing. He has great court
awareness. Sure, he takes a lot of shots if hes
open, but if he has two or three guys on him, he
usually finds the open guy. Thats what you hope
for from a kid that draws that much attention.
Kyle Frank had another solid game. Coach
Regan talked about his play, Hes the guy that
gels us together. Hes not scoring a lot so far. He
has the ability to score more, but right now we
need his defense, his taking care of the ball, and
creating opportunities for the other guys.
Other contributors to the win were DeLoreto

Staff photos by Mike Bourk

His classmates look on as John Granfield launches a three-pointer.

Taylor McGee, Makenna Tucci, and Olivia Parks

of the PHS Cheer Team lift Callie Lindsey into an
Extended Liberty position.
with eight points, John Granfield with seven
points, and Nystrom with six points. Robert
Ryans rebounding was also key to the teams
success in pulling away from Bow.
With three impressive victories under their belt
against highly touted teams, its safe to say any
questions about the Pythons have been answered.
They have amply reloaded and are the team to
beat again this season in Division 3. Coach Regan
has done a nice job tweaking the game plan to
maximize the skill set of this years players.
Pelham plays in the Lowell Holiday Tournament
over the Christmas vacation week and will resume
NHIAA play when they host Windham on Jan. 5.

Alvirne/Pelham Topped by Salem

Pelham took a 2-0 lead in the first period with
unassisted goals by both Brendan Parent and
Doug Herling. Salem had a decisive time
advantage in the Alvirne/Pelham zone, but the
defense held strong for Alvirne/Pelham.
Salem then came out in the second period to tie
the score on goals by Alex Zannini and Alec
Svenson.

Staff photos by Bob Gibbs

BY Bob Gibbs
The Alvirne/Pelham boys hockey team started
the season with a disappointing first game loss to
the Blue Devils of Salem.
Despite needing to fight off three short-handed
penalty situations in the first period, Alvirne/

A/P goalie Curtis Richall

A/P defenseman Levi Griffin (#11) takes the puck

toward the Salem goal.

A/P Captain Brendan Parent (#14)

In the third, Salem went ahead at the

11:28 mark of the period on a goal by
Aidan Breen. This goal was scored shortly
after Salem had killed off a penalty. Salems
fourth goal was again an unassisted goal by
defenseman Alec Svenson.
A/P kept fighting, and with only minutes

to go, Doug Herling scored A/Ps third goal,

assisted by Cam Richall and Matt Daprizio.
With a minute and 30 seconds to go, A/P coach
Briand Gould pulled goalie Curtis Richall for an
extra skater. Despite the effort of the A/P forwards,
Salem was able to keep the puck out of their zone
and take the win, 4-3.

Staff photo by Kaela Law

PMS Basketball Players Rally around Teammate and his Family

Pelham Memorial boys basketball team is fundraising to help the family of their
teammate Alphonse Houndegla, pictured at group center.
by Kaela Law
Pelham Memorial boys basketball team is banding together to
help one of its teammates family through a difficult time.
It came to the attention of Drew Brown (captain), and players
Matthew Crowley, Derek Crowley and Colby Travis that an online
fundraiser was started to help pay for the facility care required by
one of their teammates father who has ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral

Sclerosis, and they wanted to help.

Lou Gehrig was diagnosed with ALS in 1939, ending the
baseball career of a sports icon and helping to raise awareness
about this debilitating illness.
Last year, ALS awareness spiked again when a fundraiser
known as the Ice Bucket Challenge spread widely across social
media. Four million dollars was raised in just two weeks during
the summer of 2014 as a result of the Ice Bucket Challenge,
where people doused themselves with a bucket of ice-cold water
and then challenged others to either do the same or donate.
Frequently, people did both. Proceeds went to the ALS Association
for their continued mission to finding a cure for ALS and for
helping to provide the highest quality of care for people living with
the disease.
As stated on alsa.org, ALS is 100 percent fatal. In addition to
acclimating to the challenges that come with losing control of
voluntary muscle movement, people with the disease progressively
lose their ability to eat, speak, walk, and eventually breathe.
Pelham resident Egide Houndegla, who was diagnosed with ALS
just over four years ago, is now receiving assistance breathing.
His son, seventh grade student Alphonse Houndegla, travels with
his mother and younger brother every weekend to visit his father
in an ALS capable care facility. To help the Houndegla family
cover the costs of this facility their next-door neighbor began a
GoFundMe campaign with a goal to raise $50,000.
The link to this page online is gofundme.com/prdm2qhh where
you can read more about the trials the Houndegla family has faced
and make donations to help give this family the support of their
community.

Alphonse Houndegla has the support of his basketball team.

The Pelham Memorial boys basketball team is working on
fundraisers of their own in order to make donations to the
GoFundMe site.
These boys have not asked their parents to donate to the
GoFundMe page on their behalf they are trying to do this
themselves, said Chris Brown, president of the Pelham Memorial
Booster Club.
During their last two home games before the holiday break, the
basketball team set up a donation box for the Houndegla family at
the concession stand. The boys also asked whether all sales from
concessions could be added to their donation box, and the Booster
Club readily complied. These two games alone brought just over
$600 in donations.
The team has more fundraising planned to last throughout the
school year and extend beyond the basketball season.
Weve been brainstorming ideas, explained team captain and
eighth grade student Drew Brown. Were going to be selling pens
at school during lunches to raise money.
Wed like to do a car wash in the spring, said teammate Derek
Crowley.
The team is also working out the logistics of a 50/50 raffle to be
held during a Pelham High School basketball game.
We would do the same thing if it was any one of us in that
situation, said teammate Colby Travis.
To see and hear about these boys, ages 12-14, doing something
so amazing for their teammate, said Chris Brown, out of the
goodness of their hearts, is something wonderful.

10 - December 31, 2015 | Pelham - Windham News

Thumbs Up?

Thumbs Down?

Comments expressed in this column are the sole views of those callers and do not reflect the views of the Pelham~Windham News or its advertisers. Town and school officials encourage
readers to seek out assistance directly to resolve any problems or issues. The Pelham~Windham News editorial staff holds the right to refuse any comment deemed inappropriate.

Thumbs up to the Windham postal workers

and the local FedEx and UPS drivers
that put in so much overtime this time
of year to make sure all of our packages
and cards get to where they need to be.
Merry Christmas!
GAS

Pelham. Liberty Utilities will be supplying

though reduced emissions. Liberty informed the

Selectmen that Pelham residents will see no
increase in costs over existing customers.
This is a win for Pelham.

$AVE MONEY ON FUEL & HEAT

Thumbs up. The discovery of a new

animal species in Pelham should be
applauded! Great Blue Herring found in
the northeast is amazing, though whether
they are fish or fowl is up for grabs. I
look forward to see these rarities myself!

Tune-up your furnace or boiler NOW

and SAVE on next winters fuel bills

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Thumbs down to the homeowner that

parks the black pickup truck on Greeley
roadway. The truck is a hazard being in the
roadway and the Pelham police should take
notice especially with the winter parking
ban in effect. Hopefully this situation will
be taken of before someone is killed.

Brands
Thumbs up to love at this time of year!
High Efficiency Hot Water Boilers , Furnaces & Water Heaters All
Available
Thumbs down to the repeated,
All of me loves all of you year round
603-635-2012 Senior Discounts 603-204-8581 but this time of year knowing youre in
continuous, booming, shake-my-house,
someones heart and they are in yours is
exploding gun shots blasting at 5:22 a.m.
something special.
last Wednesday morning in the Windham Route
national gas to homes and business in town. This
28 area. Really?
will be of great savings to town residents in the
Thumbs up to all the Christmas lights
way of money and keeping our planet cleaner
Thumbs up to the new gas line coming to
on Fletcher Road and Corliss Road. Our

neighborhood looks beautiful!

Thumbs down to the Pelham Board of
Selectmen. I was told that we were recycling
plastic bags. I was at the dump on Dec. 4 in the
morning. I observed the dumping of the plastic
bags that were being taken out of the building I
was putting the plastic bags into. This so-called
director does not have a clue of what he is doing.
Thank you for your submissions. All comments, thumbs
up or down, are anonymous and not written by the
Pelham~Windham News staff. Thumbs comments can be
sent via telephone, 880-1516 or emailed to us at thumbs@
areanewsgroup.com. When submitting a Thumbs comment, please specify that you would like it printed in the
Pelham~Windham News. During the election campaign,
no comments will be allowed that are direct endorsements
or censure of candidates on the thumbs page. No names
are necessary. Please keep negative comments to the issue.
Comments should be kept to 100 words or less.

Pelham~WindhamSports

Despite a Rocky Start, Windham Ice Hockey Looks to Come Back Strong

Pelham~WindhamSports

by Craig Smith
The Windham boys ice hockey team has not been off to the start
that they hoped for. This seasons challenges really came to light
in a preseason scrimmage against Hanover, a Division I team. The
play was lethargic and, while not horrid, certainly disappointing
considering the potential and raw ability of many of the Windham
athletes. With one second left Hanover slipped in to win the game,
even as fans and those close to the team groan about how it was a
winnable matchup.
The biggest take-away from the scrimmage was the teams
discomfort closing out the game. Its not unnatural for athletes to
shy away when the lights shine at their brightest, but these boys are
not those kinds of individuals. Many hoped it would be a one-time
struggle, but when the season started it became apparent that the
late game woes wouldnt stop there. In Windhams season opener at
home against Bow they had the score tied at two apiece, forcing an
overtime. There were many chances to right the ship and take over
control of the matchup, but once overtime set in it became apparent
that Bow held most of the momentum. Windham would allow a
goal and Bow would win in the overtime, 2-3.
Perhaps inspired by their poor play leading up to their second
home game, this time against Winnacunnet, Windham managed

to win 3-1. They played relatively well and saved themselves

from what could have been a significant losing streak. It seemed
that the teams promise was back, but so too was their hubris.
Overconfident in their team dynamic, Windham fell apart in their
third game against Portsmouth-Newmarket as they traveled North.
From top to bottom the roster seemed to shy away from physicality
and couldnt find the intensity that makes their potential so high.
From passes, to shots on goal, to footwork, Portsmouth-Newmarket
outplayed Windham in every category. They would lose 1-4 in an
embarrassing defeat.
There have only been three games, so it is far too early to fret
about the teams success, especially when there is a good chance
that the team can pick up their level of play once they get a few
more repetitions together. Chemistry is a hard thing to maximize
when it comes to several individuals all coming together and
having to work in synchronicity. Every goal scored and allowed is
a complete group effort. If one person is out of position or makes a
bad decision it can have catastrophic consequences for everyone.
Spacing, puck movement, goal angles; the only way for any facet of
the game to be maximized efficiently is for everyone to be on the
same page and that can be difficult when a year has gone by, new
faces have graced the team, and the offseason training hasnt paid off

as much as initially speculated.

Thankfully the teams new faces seem to bring talent to the
struggling team. Matt Crowley and Chris Martel have both come to
the defense end with intelligence and passion, allowing the coach
to bring out three lines without losing much efficiency. Mainstays
Anderson, Harootian, and Riddle continue to work hard and show
some success in the three zones, scoring goals and giving them a
strong line as a unit. Windham has had success with face offs as
well and coach believes that with a few key wins and continued
hard work the ship can be righted.
Really this slow start can be a wakeup call or a bottomless pit.
Some teams fall into a chasm of disappointment and begin to change
the way they play because they are afraid of failure. It is that fear
that separates them from the winning team. Others will take these
losses to heart and realize that more work, practice and passion have
to be put into the game in order to succeed. Windham has smart,
talented athletes and a culture behind them that rewards hard work
and sportsmanship. Its possible that the season continues down
a 33 percent win percentage, but it is much more likely that these
athletes look to their teammates and decide to fight for them and for
their school.

Windham Girls Basketball Outdueled by Goffstown in Hard-Fought Effort

by Craig Smith
The Windham girls basketball team faced off against Goffstown
for the teams third game of the season and nearly scraped by with
a hard-fought victory. Its becoming obvious that time together
is helping these young athletes to mature, and the chemistry is
becoming more and more obvious on the court.
Goffstown, 1-1 on the season coming into this matchup, barely
lost their first away game in Hanover before thrashing Timberlane
on the road by over double their score. Whatever preparations
Windham had made going into Goffstown it became clear that with
Goffstown showing off for their home crowd for the first time, mixed

with the confidence of destroying Timberlane, this battle was going

to be more grit-and-grind than any previous matchup.
Windham fought hard with Stephanie Davis and Kelsey
Dendzulak leading the way, but Goffstowns shooting was just
too timely down the stretch. Goffstown buried their three point
attempts to demoralize the Jaguars and capped it off with a flurry of
free throw makes that pushed the lead just out of Windhams grasp.
Windham would ultimately fall 38-47.
Davis led the team in scoring with 15 points and also ripped
down eight rebounds and four steals. Her leadership-by-example
mentality is a big reason that Windham was nearly able to upset
Goffstown. Her smart positioning and innate instincts allowed her to
sneak into passing lanes and nab rebounds from the other athletes.
She also drew fouls in abundance, making five free throws. Her
aggressiveness forced the opposing defense to stay on their toes and
allowed the other players on her team to catch a quick break when
she took time at the line. Kendzulak was no slouch either. She
raked in seven points, including a three pointer, and used her range
to pull defenders away from the paint and allow her teammates
space to work down low. Consistent three-point shooting range
can be uncommon for young athletes, and Kendzulaks ability to

knock down the long ball could become a huge asset as the season
progresses. Kaleigh Walsh also managed to knock down a threepoint shot and ended the game with four points. The more longrange shooters there are the better chance Windham will have at
grabbing offensive rebounds and layups because defenders will have
to guard the perimeter more instead of the paint.
Hannah Klaassens was no slouch in this game either as she
emulated Daviss aggressive play and got to the line a few times. She
ended the game with five points. Sam Adamson, Nina Berni, and
Nikki Lemay all added to Windhams total by pitching in with a field
goal apiece.
Windhams 0-3 record looks disappointing on paper, and many
may jump the gun and assume that the Jags arent ready to play
at a high level, but those are the people that will get burned once
Windham finds its identity. Goffstown is a solid team and to lose by
single digits right after Goffstown won by 37 is a good indicator that
Windham is a dark horse once the season really gets rolling. It takes
time to gel and regain the competitive spirit that drives athletes to
success, and this team has a solid foundation. Look for Windhams
record to spike in the near future.

Mentor 2 Mentee Group Breaks down Barriers

by Doug Robinson
The Mentor 2 Mentee program at Windhams Middle School offers
eighth graders an opportunity to break down the communication
barriers and social walls within their school, as well as the chance to
walk side by side with their younger classmates.
In its 12th year, the program is run by the students of WMS.
Ed Hurrell
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to be a mentor, but the students are also evaluated by their peers to
their involvement and dedication to the program.
Monthly training sessions and meetings, and then the connection
TREE STUMPS AND SHRUBS GROUND OUT
time with their fellow students, requires a strong commitment from
the student leaders.
GOOD WORK GOOD RATES

For the month of December, the mentoring program was geared

toward inspiring the students to give back to others by doing a good
deed writes M2M. The theme for the month is Pay it forward. We
must educate and inspire students to realize that they can change
the world, one person at a time. Our goal this month is to have the
students, staff and community members do a good deed and, in turn,
have that person do something nice in return.
M2M also organizes and hosts the annual Winter Wonderland
Dance for the students of WMS. This year the dance raised close to
$4,800, of which $2,400 was donated to the Windham Helping Hands
organization.

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Pelham - Windham News | December 31, 2015 - 11

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2:45pm-5:45pm. Salary is
$9.00 an hour for qualified
individuals. Please send
resume to info@psacc-nh.org
or call 603-635-9733.
DOGGIE DAYCARE IS
SEEKING PART-TIME
HELP TO CARE FOR
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have a clean driving record &
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rentals

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603-765-0941

HOME
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BBB Accredited A+ Rating!

Walls & Ceilings Repaired
Great Rates!
30 Years of Service
I Love My Job & It Shows!

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REMODELING: Licensed,
insured, registered. Repairs/
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pricing. Call Walter at Sloan
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PERSONAL ASSISTANT
NEEDED Call Jean 8894744. 12/31/15

ALL PHASES OF
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HOME REPAIRS.
Carpentry/painting/
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faucet replacements to
full renovations. All work
performed by owner,
Thomas Jablonski. 27+ years
experience. Call today, 603440-9530. Free estimates,
fully insured. 1/29/16

PAINTING COMPANY
Experienced, professional
interior/exterior painters in
the Windham area. Must
have reliable transportation.
Call 603-234-5731 or
marccroteau7@yahoo.com

DAVES HANDYMAN
SERVICES: Interior painting,
windows, doors, decks,
basements, and general home
repairs. Licensed and insured.
Free estimates. References
available. 603-486-1310. 12/31/15

RECEPTION/CLERICAL
Part time, weekends, 10-15
hours per week. Pleasant work
atmosphere. Please call 603893-1777. 12/31/15

12/31/15

INSTRUCTION
PHLEBOTOMY COURSE:
5 Weeks, $800.00. Register
now for Jan classes. Wed and
Fri, 6p.m.-8p.m. Phlebotomy
and Safety Training Center,
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eld, NH. 603-883Feature
your home.
0306
.

THE FRUGAL HANDY

MAN. To Do Lists. Decks
repaired, Regular Home
Maintenance. Any Home
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1/29/16

Windham Newcomers
and Friends Celebrate
the Holiday Season

Town
Pelham
Pelham
Pelham
Pelham
Pelham
Pelham
Pelham
Pelham
Pelham
Pelham
Pelham
Pelham
Pelham
Pelham
Windham
Windham
Windham
Windham
Windham
Windham
Windham
Windham
Windham
Windham
Windham
Windham

Address

Description
Land
L/MH
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Condominium
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg
Land & Bldg

Seller

12 Bear Hill Rd
33 Brandy Ln
DHB Homes LLC
24 Diamond Hill Dr
Cheryl J. Luciano
92 Drummer Rd
7 Loretta Ave
Deutsche Bk Natl T Co Tr
1260-1264 Mammoth Rd
4 Powderhorn Dr
Skyview Estates LLC
26 Scenic View Dr
26 Scenic View Dr
David and Irene Parola
16 Shannon Cir
11 Spring St
11 Spring St
25 Webster Ave
Maurice Tourville
10 West St
Mounir A. and Zakieh Ramy
19 Bella Vista Rd
4 Braemar Rd Unit 4
Walte M&L M Bain LT
18 Braemar Rd Unit 18
36 Brookview Rd Unit 36
David P. and Carol A. Fioretti
5 Clarke Farm Rd
8 Doiron Rd
Bel Air Homes Inc
26 Glance Rd
Call Cindy for a
11 Harris Rd
Comprehensive
6 Mammoth Rd
Market Analysis!
24 Morrison Rd
24 Nathan Rd
H&B Homes Corp
53 Northland Rd
Nov 1 - Nov 15, 2015 recorded transfers

Buyer
Sale Price
Delfino A. Torres
0
Jason M. Mendonca
465000
Michael J. Price
392200
William and Dawn Giarrusso
0
N&C RET and Colleen
146000
John C. and Heidi A. Frasca
0
Scott B. and Kara E. Reeves
519000
Thien P. Dang, Nhung Nguyen
0
Thien P. Dang, Nhung Nguyen 470000
William F. and Michelle D. Williams
0
Susan A. Caffrey
0
Susan A. Caffrey
0
Westchester Corner LLC
129000
Nasr D. Ramy
150000
Chrissis INT and Rose E. Chrissis
0
Victoria H. Venuti
170000
John A Haga RET and John A. Haga 0
Paula J. Giarrusso
278000
Todd E. Fercho
0
Gonzalez-Ospina, Peralta
581866
Richard & Nancy L. Martino
0
Jennifer and Brian Noury
0
Sharon J. Leombruno
0
Anthony I. and Stacey L. Bruzzese
0
David & Michelle A. Cotoni
692000
Lyne Tousignant
0
David N. and Barbara J. Paquette
0

Courtesy photo

603) 635-9617

submitted by Brenda Lombardozzi

Windham Newcomers & Friends held their annual Holiday
Social, on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the Atkinson Country Club. It was a
wonderful event for all current members to meet and kick off the
holiday season. The social was well attended with 40 members
enjoying a fun evening of food, friendship and socializing.
The Atkinson Country Club provided a delicious buffet for all
members to enjoy and the evening ended with a spirited Yankee
Swap exchange among the members! The holiday social is an
annual event of the Windham Newcomers & Friends, and is one
of the many wonderful activities planned by the organization.
The Windham Newcomers & Friends is a womens social club
for both new and existing residents. You do not have to be new
resident to join in the fun. If you would like more information
about the Windham Newcomers & Friends, visit us online at
http://www.windhamnewcomers.com.

Membership Chosen
for New Finance
Committee

by Barbara OBrien
Earlier this year, members of the Windham School Board decided
to create a new finance committee; advisory only in nature. This
finance committee should not be misconstrued with an official
budget committee; the establishment of which must be approved by
the majority of registered voters.
After soliciting residents who might be interested in serving
on the new finance committee, the following individuals were
selected: Steven Bookless, Eileen Mashimo, Bob Coole, Carolyn
Therrien, Gabe Toubia and Rob Gustafson.
This group of residents will be working in cooperation with
school administrators to determine areas where the budgeting
process might be made more efficient. A date has not yet been
set for the first meeting, but all such meetings will be open to the
public.

12 - December 31, 2015

Pelham~WindhamSports
Pelham Breaks Away from Campbell in Second Half

Pelham~WindhamSports
brutal full-court press that forced bad passes. Jessica Lessard (#4)
was especially dangerous on the defensive end. Lessard didnt score
as many points as most game changers might, but her intelligent
passing and constant defensive pressure was what led this team to
victory. She kept her hands up, stripping the ball from unsuspecting
ball handlers, poking it away from bigs in the post, and then tearing
down the court on the fast break to pass to the open player. Her
on-ball pressure forced travels and wild passes, and her steal count
came so quickly and in abundance that record keepers were unable
to get a truly accurate number for her amount of steals. In the
third quarter alone Lessard
grabbed four steals and had
eight going into the fourth
quarter. On top of that she
snuck past defenders for a
couple of smooth layups and
made a half dozen passes
leading to assists.
Lessards presence was
the inspirational force
behind Pelhams lock down
defense. As the defensive
anchor she made all of her
teammates better and her
teammate Caitlin Riordan
(#14) reveled in her presence
as she snagged a few blocks,

grabbed a half dozen boards, poked a few balls loose for steals, got a
few assists, and made the most of the fast break by finishing layups.
Lily Shlimon (#3), as almost a mirror to Lessards defensive
performance, did the same on the offensive end. She took a few
minutes to build up her intensity on both ends of the court before
essentially transforming into a blond Ray Allen. She knocked down
three pointers as if it were as easy as breathing. When it released
her hands it was like a perfect, magical rainbow on its way to the
net. She was the main offensive reason that Pelham held a doubledigit lead for most of the first half, scoring seven points in the first
quarter and double digits by the end of the first half.
Pelham is undefeated thus far in the season at 3-0, but theres
so much more to it than Lessard, Riordan, and Shlimon. Danielle
Sirois (#41) showed off her low post footwork with some nifty upand-under moves; Olivia Gagnon (#10) demonstrated her abilities
as the primary ball handler with a nice outside shooting touch, and
Cheyenne Lee (#32) grabbed a handful of points from the free throw
line after intelligent slashing to the rim. Every role player has shown
that they deserve minutes, and, as the season goes on and players
like Sarah Ratcliffe (#21) and Shannon Morin (#30) make a case for
more minutes, it will become much more difficult for Coach Shepard
to decide on lineups throughout the game. Regardless of how the
minutes are divvied up there is almost no wrong answer for who
should be on the court, and, as long as everyone continues to work
on their game and play to the best of their abilities, this Pelham team
could make a case for the most talented team in the division; all that
without a single senior on the roster.

Staff photos by Craig Smith

by Craig Smith
The Pelham and Campbell girls basketball teams played for the
second time in a week, and this time Pelham hosted. In their last
matchup Pelham managed to crush Campbells spirit early, breaking
out to a huge lead and take the game 54-27. This coming right off a
73-39 win against Prospect Mountain.
Campbell wouldnt be so easy this week. Inspired by their defeat
earlier that week, Campbell played with an intensity that they lacked
in the last meetup. They played hard on defense, clogging the paint
and forcing Pelham to take low-percentage midrange jumpers.
Campbell never really managed to steal momentum away
from Pelham in the first half, but they made nice scoring
runs in the first half to keep it competitive, keeping it
within single digits for most of the third quarter. Their
offensive rebounding and three-point shooting were a
beacon of hope for the away team, but it wouldnt be
enough to stop Pelhams superior play. They would keep
it close, but in the second half Pelham would steal the
show. The Python offense got humming coming out of
half time and they ensured that they passed to their open
teammates and ran the fast break to perfection. They
would win 62-34 after only leading by seven going into
the third.
Campbells undoing would be their turnovers as
Pelham capitalized on every loose ball and utilized a

Lily Shlimon (#3) nails a three-point field goal.

Sarah Ratcliffe (#21) moments before making a free throw

Jillian Schwab (#24) is at the line for two foul shots.

Windham Boys Basketball Withstands Fourth Quarter Push by Goffstown

points as well as four rebounds and two steals. Allanach would
follow close behind him with 12 points, but Gill would steal the
show. Gill led the team in rebounds and points with six boards and
19 points. Ben Emrick chipped in as well with four assists and seven
points, showing off some smart passing and being a good catalyst
for the teams unselfish play. Bobby Dickey would finish with six
points, and Kyle Adamson would score five before the game was out,
rounding out a supporting group that can really change the pace of
a game.
Besides Windhams stellar three-point shooting, the Jaguars also
never stopped hustling. Gill would step in to draw two charges
and the team as a whole used physicality and smart play to draw
constant fouls. Some of this is thanks to the high three-point
percentage that caused defenders to be late on their assignments, but
most of it is just smart ball movement and footwork. As a team the
Jaguars shot 19 free throws. They may have only made 12, but just
the sheer quantity of shots from the line is proof that this Windham
team is ready to hustle and not settle for lazy jump shots.
After nearly doubling Goffstowns points going into the fourth

Windham Girls Basketball Loses

in Nail Biter to St. Thomas
by Craig Smith
The Windham girls basketball team hosted
St. Thomas for a close defensive battle that
tested every athletes mental fortitude. It was
neck and neck going into the fourth quarter;
Windham and St. Thomas jockeying for enough
momentum to steal the game in the final
minutes.
Nina Berni (12 points) and Steph Davis (10
points) led Windham in scoring, efficiently
making the most of their opportunities on the
court. Sam Adamson also made a big impact
by being only a single field goal away from
a points-rebounds double-double. Her 10
rebounds were imperative to the success of
the team going into the fourth, and her seven
points didnt hurt either. Kelsey Kendzulak and
Amanda Carey both chipped in four points as
well.
The fourth quarter would be a different game
altogether. In crunch time the best players
know how to step up their game on both sides
of the court, and this night it just so happened
to be St. Thomas girls. The away team
ratcheted up the competition on the defensive
end, pressing the guards and swarming the
wings.
Windham
tried to
adapt, but
the Jaguars
couldnt

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keep up with the new level of play until it was

too late. St. Thomas would go on to win it in
the waning minutes 47-43.
It wasnt a bad outing for Windham,
especially this early in the season. The
offseason rust is still clinging to some of the
footwork and rotations, and, in time, with hard
work and good coaching, Windham should hit
a new level in the coming weeks. The Jaguars
are now 0-2, but that is not indicative of how
they have performed this season.
Hollis Brookline defeated Windham in the
first game of the season 53-57, so its clear that
Windhams woes have mostly been a result
of an inability to close out games. It only
takes one success to rev the engines of these
young athletes, so look for the Jaguars to make
a run once the girls add to their confidence.
Theres absolutely no need to worry after only
two games. The season is wide open, and
Windham boasts a talented group of talent.
Once the team grabs some momentum and the
girls play themselves into basketball shape, on
both a physical and mental level, they will not
only be able to finish the games with a bit more
success, but have stretches where their lead is
so much that they wont need to push so hard
to defend it at the end of the game.
On Dec. 18, the team suffered a close loss
to Goffstown on the road before they go on to
host two home games (Jan. 5 and 8) in front of
a supportive Windham crowd.

Windham Shows off ChampionshipLevel Talent in First Meet of the Season

by Craig Smith
Windham High School is no stranger to athletic
superiority. The schools regular season win totals,
regardless of the sport, is consistently staggering. It
comes as no surprise that the Windham wrestling
team started out the winter season with a win
against Winnacunnet.
Winnacunnet, too, is no stranger to athletic
prowess. Many consider this match up to be a
precursor to the end of the season once the Division
II title is up for grabs. Both sides of this competition
boast strong, hard-working individuals that give
everything they have to achieve victory in the name
of their town, which allowed for a spectacular first
meet coming straight off of a lengthy offseason. Its
rare for two squads of any sport to come out of
the offseason completely ready to go, and these
teams arent different, but they did seem to be more
prepared than most teams would be.
The teams would throw all they had at one
another, two juggernauts facing off for an early
season look at greatness. A meaningless title, but
one that could boost confidence and help these
young men reach their potential once the season
gets in full swing. Windham would really pull
ahead in points, making the match seem far more
unbalanced than it was, and thanks to the leadership
and example of the teams captains Windham took
the meet at a score of 42-24.
Jon Ferri, Patrick Hume, Peter Caron, and Sam
Cavallaro are the foundation of this wrestling

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quarter, there came a lull in play. Goffstown whipped up a run, even

threatening to make a serious comeback, but Windham managed to
hold them off at the end. Free throw shooting and late game play
will be imperative to late season success, but so far it hasnt been
too much of a problem. Goffstown scored 23 points in the fourth
quarter against Windhams 14. By the time the buzzer went off
Windham had won it 60-51.
Three days later Windham would travel to St. Thomas Aquinas
and again the team would be able to boast success when they came
home. The offense was extra smooth as they went on the road, but
their defense struggled to contain St. Thomas with the ease that they
had Goffstown. Windham would win it 76-66 with some nice fourth
quarter play to ensure that they did not let the game slip by them.
Of teams that have played two or more games Windham is the only
school besides Portsmouth to remain undefeated. Its perhaps a
silly statistic to be excited about, but wins are wins and as long as
this team continues to reach toward its potential and play at a high
level there is no reason that Windham wont remain at the top of the
leaderboard once spring rears its head.

603-553-9040
877-728-9593
KAArcher@comcast.net

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organization; leaders who show professionalism on

and off the mat. They are examples of dedication
and hard work as they also perform in other athletic
programs, whether it be football or soccer. These
four gentlemen can only improve as the season
progresses because of how seriously they take their
commitment to their schools athletics and to the
pride of this town.
Coach Jack Byrne had only good remarks for
his teams captains. It all starts with our captains.
They are talented wrestlers and even better leaders.
Even when they are off the mat they are amazing
individuals. We have a program based around hard
work and character, and these guys represent those
values perfectly.
When asked about projecting this years outcome
the coach said, I think our team is going to have
its best season ever. We dont know if that means a
championship because there are other great teams
out there, but our room has a special feel. Our kids
really know what it takes to win, and its fantastic to
see such good kids working hard towards something
special. We have really established a wrestling
family and it should show. They look out for one
another and hold each other to a higher standard.
High praise for high-quality individuals.
The coaching staff this year is nothing to ignore
either. Head Coach Tom Darrin has been coaching
for over 40 years and is widely considered to be one
of the best character coaches around. Russ Perkins
and Mike Millette are high school assistants with
wrestling experience, and their
upbeat, positive attitude makes
performing a privilege instead of
a chore.
It may be too early to say that
+
+
+
Windham is on the fast track to
postseason greatness, but with
Gil Jameson Agency
this level of character and this
(603) 880-4090
level of talent its hard to be
225 Lowell Rd., Hudson
wary. Winning this meet against
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by Craig Smith
Windham, regularly a pinnacle of physical success, continues to
expand its legacy as one of the biggest powerhouses in Division II
athletics. Windham boys basketball team has just started the season
and already is turning heads with unselfish and laser-focused play.
It may be too early to jump on the bandwagon seeing as there have
only been two games played in the season thus far, but it looks like
the team will have a big advantage when it comes to chemistry and
preparedness going deeper into the season.
Goffstown traveled to Windham for the first game of the season.
The Jaguars wasted no time coming out and establishing momentum,
outscoring the visitors 27-19 in the first half and expanding that lead
to 46-28 going into the final quarter. The success came in large part
thanks to the incredible three-point shooting of Kyle Rembis, Marco
Allanach, and Cole Gill. Those three made up all 18 three-point
attempts and together they made ten. Fifty-six percent from three is
always a recipe of success, especially since it then forces the defense
to guard further away from the rim, allowing post plays and layups
to come in abundance, unhindered. Rembis would finish with 11